Neo-Daoism in Wei-Jin Era魏晋玄学

温海明 Prof. WEN Haiming

Associate Professor, School of Philosophy

Renmin University of China 中国人民大学哲学院副教授

Ph.D. University of Hawaii夏威夷大学哲学博士

23/4/20Prof. Haiming Wen, School of Philosophy, Renmin

University of China1

The Unification of Thought First Emperor Qinshihuang’s Policies :

Writings of the “hundred schools” be preserved One world, one government, one history, and

one way of thought Works in other subjects destroyed Violence of the Ch’in dynasty made the reign

have a speedy downfall, replaced by Han Dynasty

Emperor Wu becomes new leader, makes Confucius the official state teacher

Position of Confucius in Han Thought

Wei shu comes into existence Apocrypha Teachings of Confucius Realistic and rational Confucius

followers did not agree with concept’s extreme ideas

did not liken Confucius as a god

Controversy of Old and New Text Schools

Old Text School of Confucianists New Text School- continuation of idealistic

wing of Confucianism headed by Mencius Old Text School- realistic wing of Hsun Tzu

Daoism and Buddhism

Revival of Taoist philosophy Feng: Neo Taoism Daoist philosophy allied with

Buddhist philosophy

Political Background

Political Philosophy of Taoism- good government is one that doesn’t do anything

Social and Political philosophy of Confucianism- new take on aristocracy

Neo-Daoism: the Rationalists

Revival of interest in School of Names

Reinterpretation of Confucius Neo-Daoists considered Confucius even greater than Laozi

Institutions and Morals

The Dao is unnamable Dao is in everything Being comes from non-being Universe in a constant state of flux Institutions and morals good for one

time may not be good for another time

Neither is superior nor inferior

Knowledge and Imitation

You wei- having activity Wu wei- having no activity Must follow a natural course Laozi and Zhuangzi opposed sages Xiang Xiu and Guo Xiang believed

imitation was wrong : It is useless, fruitless and harmful

Absolute Freedom and Absolute Happiness

transcend distinctions between things enjoy absolute freedom and have absolute

happiness Happiness is only relative Enjoyment is finite

Neo Daoism: the Sentimentalists

qing tan- pure or fine conversation Part of feng liu tradition feng-wind, liu-stream Great stories

1223/4/20Prof. Haiming Wen, School of Philosophy, Renmin

University of China