Original Theory of Chinese Philosophy · Introduction

Author: Tang Junyi
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-10-01
Features: The Chinese philosophical tradition is profound, with rich doctrines from various schools, yet its thoughts have evolved and are not born out of thin air. Understanding their origins helps us grasp their destinations, making it necessary to trace back to the roots. This book vertically focuses on discussions of Chinese philosophical issues centered around a core concept, while horizontally broadly encompasses the doctrines of different schools, distinguishing their aspects, categories, and levels. It includes essays such as "On the Principle," "On the Original Mind," "On the Original Name," "On the Original Debate," "On Original Speech and Silence," "On Original Debate and Silence," "On Original Pursuit of Things," "On the Dao," "On the Original Taiji," and "On the Original Fate," all of which serve as entrances to the realm of Chinese philosophical doctrines. Moving further, it specializes in the core concept of Chinese philosophy—"nature"—and argues that "fate" is inseparable from "nature." Moreover, the ideal that humans can face heaven, earth, and all things, giving rise to the vast value world of Chinese philosophy, must stem from the meaning of "nature." The writing style of this book is unique; Tang Junyi called it "discussing philosophy through the history of philosophy." He opposed unfounded speculation, arguing that the words of the ancients should not be grasped in isolation, as this would inevitably lead to inexplicable conflicts. Instead, one should analyze their intended meanings, categorize them, and place them in their proper context. Following this, Tang Junyi systematically presented the various theories of Chinese ancient philosophers on human nature to seek their original meaning and universal, eternal values, exploring the possibility of integrating them into a broader philosophical world. This book uses the major concepts of Chinese philosophy as threads, demonstrating Tang Junyi's mature and well-rounded thinking on philosophical issues.