Original Theory of Chinese Philosophy · Introduction (Selected Works of Tang Junyi)

Author: Tang Junyi
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Features: The Chinese philosophical tradition is profound, with rich and diverse doctrines from various schools, yet its thoughts have evolved and are not born out of thin air. Understanding their origins is essential to knowing their directions, making it necessary to trace back to the roots. This book vertically focuses on discussions of Chinese philosophical issues revolving around a core concept, while horizontally extensively incorporates doctrines from 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 Taiji," and "On the Original Fate," all of which serve as gateways to the realm of Chinese philosophical doctrines. Further, it specifically examines the core concept of Chinese philosophy—"nature"—and argues that "fate" is inseparable from "nature." Moreover, the ideal values of Chinese philosophy that arise from humans' interaction with heaven, earth, and all things 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 ancient texts should not be grasped in isolation, as this would inevitably lead to inexplicable conflicts. Instead, their intended meanings should be analyzed and categorized, allowing each to find its proper place. Following this, Tang Junyi systematically presented the various theories of Chinese philosophers on human nature, seeking their original meaning and universal, eternal values, in an attempt to harmonize them into a broader philosophical framework. This book uses the major concepts of Chinese philosophy as threads, demonstrating Tang Junyi's mature and comprehensive thinking on philosophical issues.