Xia Zhenwu’s Theory Of Heart-Nature

Influenced by the inherent historical narrative paradigm,it seems that Xia Zhenwu,a famous Neo-Confucianist in the late Qing Dynasty,can hardly be found in the academic genealogy today.Therefore,on the basis of reading Xia Zhenwu’s Lectures of Daxue yanyi carefully,the author will show this Neo-Confucianist’s adjustment and adherence to Neo-Confucianism in the late Qing Dynasty by studying his theory of Heart-Nature.This thesis mainly discusses Xia Zhenwu’s theory of Heart-Nature from the following five aspects: First,in terms of the historical background,Xia Zhenwu’s theory of Heart-Nature is his response to Qian-Jia School,New Learning and Western Learning in the course of his teaching of Neo-Confucianism in the Imperial University of Peking.Secondly,in terms of the ideological origin,Xia Zhenwu’s theory of Heart-Nature has drawn lessons from Neo-Confucianism of Cheng-Zhu,Zhen Dexiu’s "correct the heart" theory,and West Zhejiang School.Thirdly,in terms of the main content,Xia Zhenwu’s theory of Heart-Nature can be subdivided into "onto-cosmology","theory of nature","theory of heart" and "theory of benevolence".Fourthly,in terms of the academic significance,Xia Zhenwu’s theory of Heart-Nature can be considered from the thinking mode of "unity of ti and yong",the interpretation method of "grasping the main",and the purpose of "Neo-Confucianism lies in practice".Fifthly,the author uses the two forms of "time" and "space" to give new theoretical value to Xia Zhenwu’s theory of Heart-Nature.