Wang Bi and Guo Xiang on Xing and Qing
Resource
臺大中文學報, 25, 095-133
Journal
臺大中文學報
Journal Issue
25
Pages
095-133
Date Issued
2006-12
Date
2006-12
Author(s)
Abstract
In the Chinese intellectual tradition, discourses on xing (nature) and qing (feeling) are often closely related to the practical approaches that thinkers propose for the pursuit of moral perfection. Wang Bi (226-249) and Guo Xiang (died 312) hold more or less the same view about the content and characteristics of the notions of xing and qing. However, they differ from each other in their attitudes toward how to approach qing in practice. Wnag Bi considers the tao (way) to be the primal principle, whereas Guo Xiang argues for the equality of things (qiwu). This philosophical difference leads to their divergence in the practical approach to qing. Wang Bi suggests the approach of “xing qiqing” (restraining feeling in accord with nature); by contrast, Guo Xiang advices man to “shixing chengging” (express feeling in accord with nature). Despite this divergence, both Wang and Guo acknowledge the legitimacy of qing in their discourses on xing and qing. Therefore, following their teachings, weather through restraining or transcending qing, one is able to hold onto some concrete methods to conduct moral cultivation. To be sure, the qi (ether) cosmology upheld by Wang and Guo has the unmistakable implication that a saint must be borne, i.e., sainthood cannot be attained by pure learning. Still both thinkers do provide common people with approachable methods to pursue the ideal of moral perfection: in the end, although not everyone may achieve sainthood, an approximate level remains, at least potentially, always within one’s reach. The article also examines the biographical backgrounds of Wang and Guo in order to shed new light on the significance of the conflicts between their though and action. It is argued that such conflicts actually contribute to their theoretical breakthroughs. A historical account is further provided in order to show that the intellectual consensus of Wei-Jin period is indispensable for the breakthroughs made by Wang and Guo. Hopefully, this study will yield new insights into both the prevalent predicament of Wei-Jin intellectuals and the thoughts of Wang and Guo.
Subjects
王弼
郭象
性
情
魏晉玄學
Wang Bi
Guo Xiang
Xing
Nature
Qing
Feeling
Wei-Jin philosophy
SDGs
Type
journal article
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