Research On Principle In The Neo-Taoism

Neo-Taoism is an important part of Chinese philosophy,and principle is a major category of Chinese philosophy.This dissertation discusses the role of principle in the construction of Neo-Taoism,by analysis of the philosophical connotation and use context of principle,links with some important topics and their core ideas,such as the Discussion of Being and Non-being,the Discussion of Word and Meaning,the Discussion of Confucian Ethical code and Nature,and the Style of Wei-Jin period.And thus reveals the logical development process of principle from the pre-Qin period to the Song and Ming dynasties.On the basis of summarizing the seven meanings of principle in the pre-Qin and Han dynasties,this dissertation discusses the fundamental effects of gentle principle in the theory of talents and laws in Han and Wei dynasties,based on Records of the Personalities.After briefly reviewing the development of four periods of Neo-Taoism,this dissertation analyzes the constructive role of principle on ontology,mind theory,political theory,life theory,and realm theory in Neo-Taoism.As the representative philosopher of theory of Non-being,Wang Bi confirms that everything has its nature,and this character can be called individual principle,too.On the other hand,after removing one thing’s individual principle under the vision of Non-being,he gets a universal substance named perfect principle.The perfect principle also can be called Non-being.The reason why the individual principle and the perfect principle can have a consistency in Wang Bi’s philosophy is that they all rely on the methodology which is the chief to unite and group them togethe:r.In Wang Bi’s theory,many concepts like Exalting Noumenon and Disparaging Phenomenon and Exalting Noumenon and Valuing Phenomenon,Forgeting Symbol after Geting Meaning and Finding Meaning from Symbol all can be understood by the pattern of individual principle and the perfect principle.Therefore,the usage and Connotation of Wang Bi’s principle can match to his philosophy system.However,in Guo Xiang’s philosophy,one thing which from self-transformation is full of its natural instincts and does not need to look for others.Guo Xiang calls this character natural principle.The natural principle births from one’s life,so someone can not change this,and the natural principle will company with one thing’s whole life.After that,Guo Xiang compromises nature of one thing and other things’ nature by his Interrelation theory and Happy Excursion.Guo Xiang argues that if some one can keep its nature and finish its whole life,it could be happy finally,it is one thing’s ultimate principle as well.In Guo Xiang’s epistemology,natural principle and ultimate principle all come from the self-transformation,unite in things’ nature,hence,can not to be spoken but indicate.In Guo Xiang’s philosophy of politics and life,he thinks the Confucian Ethical code concludes the Nature,someone being in the Confucian Ethic is also unhampered his mind in the nature,therefore the Confucian Ethical code is equal to natural principle partly.Differ from Wang Bi and Guo Xiang,Ji Kang and Ruan Ji set the connotation of natural principle into onto and focus on human’s subjectivity,and advocate human’s natural values.Consciously propose Exceeding the Confucian Ethical code and Giving the Reins to Nature.At the same time,they practice the view into their life and show the famous style of Wei-Jin period.To review the principle of Neo-Taoism,its use as a philosophical category has gradually matured and made important contributions to the construction of Neo-Taoism theory building.After being jointly deepened by Buddhism,Taoism,and Confucianism,principle of Neo-Taoism eventually evolved into principle of New Confucianism,becoming one of the most theoretically connotative categories in Chinese philosophy.