This dissertation tries to bring into view the central problem and horizon of Wang Fu-chih’s thought, namely Correct-Learning Ideal and Heaven-Human Circle, which, functioning as the underlying path, will lead us to the deepest area of Wang Fu-chih’s thought. Corresponding to this line, the main content of this dissertation is divided into three parts....[ Read more ]

This dissertation tries to bring into view the central problem and horizon of Wang Fu-chih’s thought, namely Correct-Learning Ideal and Heaven-Human Circle, which, functioning as the underlying path, will lead us to the deepest area of Wang Fu-chih’s thought. Corresponding to this line, the main content of this dissertation is divided into three parts.

Part I contains two chapters. Chapter I demonstrates Wang Fu-chih’s ideal of Correct-Learning, which can be prescribed by three interrelated features, i.e., the virtuously setting down of life and death, fulfilling the humanity and practicing the genuine learning. Chapter II explicates the horizon of Heaven-Human Circle and its constituents, i.e., Heaven as the ultimate ground of original emerging, Human as the self-extending of intentionality and In-between as the space for operating freedom. A fair understanding of this horizon is decisive for any successful interpretation of Chuanshan’s thought.

Corresponding to chapter II, Part II includes three chapters which respectively deal with Chuanshan’s comprehension of the way of Heaven, the nature of humanity and the cultivation of humanistic praxis. These three chapters analyze in a descriptive manner certain basic themes of Chuanshan’s doctrine of Heaven, Human and the “In” between them.

Part III, which corresponds to Chapter I, also has three chapters. Chapter VI elucidates Chuanshan’s reconstruction of the orthodox of Confucianism; certain prominent figures of Confucianism are extraordinarily dealt with there. Chapter VII copes with Chuanshan’s critique and elevation of Daoism, the thought of Lao Tzu and Chuang Tzu as exemplar is mainly discussed. Chapter VIII deals with Chuanshan’s rough critique of Buddhism and his appraisal of Yogacara as well, which implicates a new way of elevating Buddhism to genuine learning.

Besides these, this dissertation encompasses an introduction and an epilogue as well. The former demonstrates the theme, the phenomenological method of this research and also its arrangement of content. The latter discusses briefly the position of Wang Fu-chih’s thought in the background of the genuine history of Chinese thought. This in turn points to a further unfolding of Wang Fu-chih’s thought in the future.