THESIS
2022
Abstract
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)
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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.
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