Returning to Zhu Xi: Emerging Patterns Within the Supreme Polarity

Description

Zhu Xi (1130-1200), the chief architect of neo-Confucian thought, affected a momentous transformation in Chinese philosophy. His ideas came to dominate Chinese intellectual life, including the educational and civil service systems, for centuries. Despite his influence, Zhu Xi is known as the "great synthesizer" and rarely appreciated as a thinker in his own right. This volume presents Zhu Xi as a major world philosopher, one who brings metaphysics and cosmology into attunement with ethical and social practice. Contributors from the English- and Chinese-speaking worlds explore Zhu Xi's unique thought and offer it to the Western philosophical imagination. Zhu Xi's vision is critical, intellectually rigorous, and religious, telling us how to live in the transforming world of li--the emergent, immanent, and coherent patternings of natural and human milieu. Contents Editor’s Introduction: The Day after Tomorrow— Zhu Xi’s Posthumous Birth Introduction Part I: nterpreting with Zhu Xi Chapter 1: Zhu Xi’s Metaphysics The Structure of Zhu Xi’s Philosophy The Quest for What Lies Beyond Embodied and Perceived Li as a Foundation or Governing Metaphysical Presence The Supreme Polarity’s (Taiji) Relation to Li: The Highest Formless Power Dao as Ordered Patterning—Imperceptible and Spontaneous Ordering Notes References Chapter 2: On Translating Taiji Notes References Chapter 3: Zhu Xi’s Confucian Thoughts on the Collected Commentaries of the Zhongyong “Preface to the Collected Commentaries of the Zhongyong”: The Lineage and Learning of the Proper Way Equilibrium and Constancy The Concerns of Exemplary Persons Being Creative in One’s Person and Understanding Efficacy The Practices of Making the Most of Natural Tendencies: Cultivating the Heart-mind and Achieving Understanding Notes References Chapter 4: Zhu Xi on Scientific and Occult Subjects: Defining and Extending the Boundaries of Confucian Learning Place of Scientific and Occult Subjects in Confucian Learning Establishing Proper Texts Legitimizing the Occult Subjects Interaction of Qi and Mind The Yijing Connection Incorporating the Occult Subjects: Explaining Strange Things and Events Intellectual Challenge, Confidence, and Respect for the Ancients Broadening the Scope of Confucian Learning Notes References Part II: Thinking through Zhu Xi Chapter 5: Opposition and Complementarity in Zhu Xi’s Thought Introduction Li and Qi as Opposed and Complementary, Yet Independent and Irreducible Epistemological Interlude Co-involvement and Co-presence of Li and Qi in Things Priority of Li and Qi “Above Forms” versus “Within Forms” Role of Taiji Recognition of Opposition/Complementarity Relations between Li and Qi, and Among Related Terms The Complementary Nature Application to Xin 心 Heart-mind Existential Connection Selections from the Zhu Xi Preface to Zhongyong (Doctrine of the Mean); Translation Adapted from David Foster, 2005 Notes References Chapter 6: On the Formation of Zhu Xi’s Spiritual World Notes References Chapter 7: Li as Emergent Patterns of Qi: A Nonreductive Interpretation Introduction Change and Transformation of Yin and Yang Generative Intermingling of Qi and the Ganying Relation Li as Emergent Patterns of Production and Reproduction The Inseparable but Unmingled Relation Conclusion Notes References Part III: Applying Zhu Xi Chapter 8: Boston Daoxue: A Modern Transposition of Zhu Xi’s Philosophical Vision A New Daotong 道統: Explanation, Exegesis, and Elaboration Philosophical Lexicography: The Case of Li 理 Appendix Thematized Chart Ti 體 Cosmological Ordering Roots and Coherent Principles Yong 用 Functions or Processes He 和 Unifying Cultural Patterns and Manifestations De 德 Ethical Virtues, Norms, and Outcomes Architectonic of Ti 體 Yong 用 He 和 De 德 The Praxis of 和德 Normative Moral Outcomes Notes References Chapter 9: Zhu Xi’s Virtue Ethics and the Grotian Challenge Zhu Xi’s Virtue Ethics Responding to the Grotian Challenge Notes References Chapter 10: How to Unite Is and Ought: An Explanation Regarding the Work of Master Zhu Some Contemporary Explanations of Master Zhu’s Theory of Li Master Zhu’s Own Explanations and Usages of Li Is and Ought: How Can They Be United? Notes References Chapter 11: On Anger: An Essay on Confucian Moral Psychology Notes References Chapter 12: Spiritual and Bodily Exercise: The Religious Significance of Zhu Xi’s Reading Methods The Importance of Reading Reading as Spiritual and Bodily Exercise Zhu Xi’s Reading Methods and Christian lectio divina: A Comparison Conclusion Notes References Contributors Translators Editors Index