This thesis takes the research on the concept of Zhi(志) in Pre-Qin Chinese philosophy as the starting point, comprehensively investigates the etymology, conceptual connotation and text context of Zhi, combs the theoretical system of genetic epistemology from the perspective of Qi(气) theory in the Pre-Qin period, and carries out a preliminary comparative study combined with Piaget's genetic epistemology.

Initially, Zhi is a pictophonetic and a probable ideographic character composed by Zhi(之) and Xin(心). As a philosophical concept, “record”, “memory”, “intention”, “will” and “subject” are the five basic conceptual dimensions of Zhi with an obvious generation order among them. Zhi is used as a basic and consensus concept in Pre-Qin philosophy system to refer to a certain Shen(身)-Xin(心) st...[ Read more ]

This thesis takes the research on the concept of Zhi(志) in Pre-Qin Chinese philosophy as the starting point, comprehensively investigates the etymology, conceptual connotation and text context of Zhi, combs the theoretical system of genetic epistemology from the perspective of Qi(气) theory in the Pre-Qin period, and carries out a preliminary comparative study combined with Piaget's genetic epistemology.

Initially, Zhi is a pictophonetic and a probable ideographic character composed by Zhi(之) and Xin(心). As a philosophical concept, “record”, “memory”, “intention”, “will” and “subject” are the five basic conceptual dimensions of Zhi with an obvious generation order among them. Zhi is used as a basic and consensus concept in Pre-Qin philosophy system to refer to a certain Shen(身)-Xin(心) state.

The Pre-Qin theory of Zhi takes the generative theory as its main paradigm. The generation of Zhi can be divided into three main stages: arise, action and settle. Zhi is likely to present as a dynamic and plastic structure of Qi, has the functions of dominating Shen and thinking. The structure of Zhi is mainly the result of postnatal construction, which involves a “experience to cognitive structure” transformation mechanism.

Piaget's generative epistemology is comparable with the Pre-Qin genetic epistemology. Combined with the research results of psychology, this thesis deepens the theoretical understanding of the Pre-Qin genetic epistemology through the comparative study of both epistemological traditions in three aspects: initial cognitive structure, behavioral influence and the transformation mechanism from experience to cognitive structure.