Professor of the Department of Philosophy, Social Science Academy,Shanghai University; Major research fields: History of Chinese Philosophy, Confucian Philosophy, Political Philosophy; Selected works: Ruling the Mind and Ruling the World (2008) [Chinese], Twelve Lectures on Chinese Ethics (co-author, 2008) [Chinese].

Speech Abstract

 Analysis of "Publicity" in Zhu Xi's Philosophy

Publicity, in the field of public and private relations, is not only a major practical problem in contemporary social life, but also an important perspective from which to understand the Chinese cultural tradition. Zhu Xi’s philosophy is profound, and while he never uses the modern philosophical concept of “publicity,” it is embodied in Zhu Xi's philosophy. Zhuxi’s thoughts on universality and particularity, which emphasize the universality of Heaven’s principle, provide basis for his metaphysics. Zhu Xi pays attention to the distinction between public and private interests, and treats the debate on human nature and human desires as one of public and private interests, because he thinks "public interest" is an important part of the idea of humaneness. The implementation of the value of "publicity" depends on self-cultivation. One first acquires virtues, which then enable one to become close to the people.

The aspiration of realization of publicity value, has went into a trap of individual and public relations: from reasoning, the justice of publicity comes first, and in the cultivation theory, it stressed the individuals’ virtues comes first. This requires that the individual’s morality must be in conformity with pubic principles, but how do public principles become an individual’s morality. Obviously, this is the point where Yangming questioned Zhuxi. Therefore, Zhu Xi's understanding of the issue of publicity can also offer some perspective on the distinction between the views of Zhu Xi and Yangming.