Xu Heng's Neo-Confucian thought and literature

Author: Wang Sumei
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2007-01-01
Features: This book is an interdisciplinary study on the philosophical and literary thoughts of Xu Heng, a renowned Yuan Dynasty philosopher. The author places this philosophical master within the broader context of the Mongols' conquest of the Central Plains and examines Xu Heng's academic works in depth, combining the spirit of the Yuan Dynasty. The study consistently uncovers Xu Heng's pragmatic philosophy and provides commentary and interpretation. The book is divided into three parts. The first part elaborates on Xu Heng's philosophical thought, focusing on his pragmatic-oriented theories of the Dao, the mind, theory, and qi. It delves into Xu Heng's distinct political philosophy of "governing the world" and his pragmatic approach to self-cultivation. It discusses the importance of the body and application of the mind's qi, explaining how moral cultivation can refine the mind's pure and beautiful qi. It also explores Xu Heng's emphasis on ruling with virtue, advocating for the theory of achieving the "heart of the world" through "love" and "mind impartiality," and interpreting how Xu Heng unified the "principle of what ought to be" with the "principle of what is," thereby highlighting his emphasis on the "principle of what ought to be."
The second part examines the convergence of Xu Heng's philosophical and literary thoughts. It focuses on his theory of "unified philosophy," interpreting Xu Heng's philosophical alignment with his literary ideas, with "harmonious beauty" and "pure beauty" as key points of convergence.
The third part explores Xu Heng's poetic and literary creations. It emphasizes his Confucian ideals of "governing the family, the state, and the world" and his sentiments of concern for the nation and its people. It also discusses the diverse expressions in his poetry and his literary style, which is primarily plain and unadorned.