Wang Xuetong Lun: From Wang Yangming to Xiong Shili

Author: Yang Guorong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-09-01
Features: The book "General Theory of Wang Xue—From Wang Yangming to Xiong Shili" is the doctoral dissertation of Yang Guorong. During the defense of his thesis, several senior experts gave positive evaluations and offered much encouragement. Some parts of the content were published in relevant journals and attracted attention from the academic community. This work has several notable characteristics:
1. It begins by examining the duality of Wang Xue, conducting an in-depth analysis of its internal structure and the historical development process in later schools, thereby revealing the extremely important theoretical feature of Wang Xue that integrates the universal principle with individual consciousness, and the unity of affirming the (liangzhi) and effort (zhiliang).
2. By exposing the internal contradictions of the Wang Xue system, it further explains the differentiation of the Wang school in later generations, with a focus on the evolution of the distinction between (zhi) and (zhi). Li Zhi led Wang Xue astray into heterodoxy, while Huang Zongxi completed the self-negation of Wang Xue. Under the title "Echoes of History," it discusses the dual role of Wang Xue in the modernization of Chinese philosophy. A systematic and well-organized examination has effectively implemented the unity of logical and historical methods, making many of the arguments highly persuasive.
3. The author has thoroughly grasped the primary sources, referenced the works of predecessors and contemporary scholars, including a large number of research achievements by overseas scholars, and has critically analyzed, synthesized, and proposed his own insights. As a result, the book not only offers a broad theoretical perspective but also conducts in-depth micro-examinations at many points, making it a theoretical work with both breadth and depth.