Neo-Confucianism and Zhou Dunyi's Philosophy

Bibliographic Data

ID5114734
AuthorsLudovica Gallinaro (Tsinghua University, corresponding author)
Year2017
Volume12
Issue1
Publication date2017-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePhilosophy Compass (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1747-9991 • E-ISSN: 1747-9991
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/phc3.12392
OpenAlexW2575508520
LanguageEN
References cited12

Using a term coined by the contemporary Chinese philosopher Mou Zongsan, we could define Zhou Dunyi's thought in terms of 'moral metaphysics'. Zhou Dunyi (1017-1073), a thinker who lived in Northern Song period (960-1127), developed a philosophy that shows an ontological link between the cosmic order of the universe and the human moral reality. His contribution consists of two short works, Penetrating the Book of Changes (Tongshu) and Discussion of the Supreme Polarity Diagram (Taijitu shuo). These works played a fundamental role in creating the metaphysical structure of the neo-Confucian thought: Zhu Xi emphasized Zhou Dunyi's contribution to the neo-Confucian philosophy and, more precisely, he pointed out how Zhou Dunyi's ideas helped to define the conceptual framework of neo-Confucianism. Moreover, Zhu Xi legitimized Zhou Dunyi's role as the pioneer of the 'Learning of the Way', or the renewed neo-Confucian tradition. This paper aims to provide an overview of Zhou Dunyi's crucial role in the field of neo-Confucianism. At the same time, we stress the need for further analysis in order to fully understand the value of Zhou Dunyi's philosophy in the Song period intellectual context

China · Chinese philosophy · Epistemology · Metaphysics · Neo-Confucianism · Chinese history and philosophy · History · Japanese History and Culture · Philosophy · Religious Studies and Spiritual Practices

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