Associate Professor, Division of Humanities at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology; Major research fields: Chinese Philosophy, Confucianism; Selected book: Transcendence and Immanence: Comparative and Multi-dimensional Perspectives (co-author, 2001).

Speech Abstract

 Zhu Xi’s strict differentiation between li and qi, nature and emotion, heavenly principle and the selfish desire has misled people to assume his theory of self-cultivation stresses other-discipline morality. However, whether or not this is true remains to be seen.

This paper is based on the examination of his commentary on the Mencius, and focuses his understanding of the complex relationship between heavenly nature and individually endowed qi. I summarize this with three points. First, in regard to the relationship of heavenly nature and individually endowed qi, Zhu Xi states “Actually there is not variety” and “Originally there is not division.” Second in regard to self-cultivation, Zhu Xi explains that it is a process that starts from the non-varied concrete level and returns to the undivided fundamental level. Third, in this process the emphasis of Zhuxi’s theory of self-cultivation is not on dealing with ruling one’s individually endowed qi, but on cultivating heavenly nature.

Based on these three points, this essay asserts that Zhuxi promoted a self-discipline morality. As to his attentiveness and wariness towards individually endowed qi, we can say that this is why his theory of cultivation is so unique, rather than a something that proves he promoted other-discipline.