Biography of Ruan Ji

Author: Gao Chenyang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1994-05-01
Features: Ruan Ji was a renowned metaphysician during the Wei-Jin period. In his early years, he had aspirations to serve the world, but later, due to the turmoil of the time, he withdrew from worldly affairs. This book conducts a detailed examination of the different ideological tendencies in Ruan Ji's major philosophical works, revealing the evolution of his thought from Confucianism to metaphysics. It highlights that in his early years, Ruan Ji primarily adhered to Confucian thought, advocating for a unified governance of rites, music, punishments, and politics. Later, disillusioned with the decline of the moral teachings of the time, he shifted to Zhuangzi's philosophy, embracing nature and pursuing spiritual freedom for the individual. However, due to the lingering influence of Confucian thought and his disappointment with reality, he developed an anxious and troubled spiritual world, forming a dual-structured personality. This book explores Ruan Ji's thought, personality, and life interests from multiple perspectives using a dynamic approach, comparing him with other scholars of the time. It provides an insight into the intellectual landscape and the fundamental characteristics of the era's spirit among the scholars.