Biographical Critique of Fang Yizhi

Author: Luo Chi
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-03-01
Features: Fang Yizhi was a thinker of the "encyclopedic school" in China during the late Ming and early Qing dynasties. Based on an analysis of this "world-shattering" period of great upheaval and Fang's own turbulent life, this book focuses on his academic view of unifying the Three Teachings under the I Ching and his methodology of integrating ancient and modern, Chinese and Western knowledge. It provides an in-depth explanation of his "material measurement" studies and "transcendent understanding" theory, as well as an exploration of his I Ching-Buddhism theory ("the body has no inside or outside, the Way has no distinction between self and other") and his approach to reconciling Buddhism with the I Ching. The book also analyzes Fang's contributions to textual research, linguistics, literature, and art, offering a fair assessment of his social influence and historical significance. It is a comprehensive and systematic work evaluating Fang Yizhi.