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Recent attempts to reconstruct Neo-Confucianism for the contemporary discussion have brought to the surface many issues pertaining to the fundamental understanding of this whole school of thought. Zhang Zai is regarded as the “father of Neo-Confucianism” . He summarized and further developed earlier views. His own theories were influential on con temporary and later scholars, including the Cheng Brothers, Zhu Xi, Wang Yangming, Wang Zhongxi, Lui Zhonzhou , Wang Fuzi and others. This paper will focus on the interpretation of Zhang Zai by the New Confucians. I will be particularly interested in recent discussion. Current literature on Zhang Zai concerns various aspects, such as Qi (vital energy), Taishu (Great Vacuity), Shen (spiritual), which are all key to Zhang Zai. Various models from Western philosophy are interpolated in the interpretation of these theoretical constructions. Mou Zongsan uses a Kantian interpretation of transcendental relationship while Tang Junyi employs a Hegalian form of absolute idealism. These senses of interpretation challenge the scientific claim of “materialism ” . These different strains play a significant role in the clarification and the establishment of Qi as a school of thought . Such a study is important since the current reconstruction of Neo-Confucianism relies on an other set of vocabulary from various philosophical models as tools to interpret Zhang Zai. This suggests two questions: Can such interpretation be successful? What are the lessons to be learned from the differentinter-cultural or cross-cultural methods for very different ancient Chinese thinkers such as Zhang Zai? |