This paper contemplates the meaning of Tai-ji and Hwang-ji in Zhu Xi, while comparing with that of Liu Jiu Yuan and Ye Shi. Zhu Xi, together with Liu Jiu yan and Ye Shi, trisected the academic world of South Song dynasty. In Zhu Xi`s debate with Liu J...
This paper contemplates the meaning of Tai-ji and Hwang-ji in Zhu Xi, while comparing with that of Liu Jiu Yuan and Ye Shi. Zhu Xi, together with Liu Jiu yan and Ye Shi, trisected the academic world of South Song dynasty. In Zhu Xi`s debate with Liu Jiu yuan over the meaning of ``Hwang-ji`` and Tai-ji, and in Ye Shi`s participation in this debate, we could follow Zhu Xi`s criticism as follows. Liu Jiu Yuan emphasized the mind only, and ignored the principle in the object and the object`s relation to the mind. Zhu Xi criticized this philosophy as solipsistic subjectivism. Ye Shi, on the other hand, emphasized the object only, ignoring the mind and its relation to the object. Zhu Xi criticized this philosophy as something that could easily turn into utilitarian doctrine. In Zhu Xi`s systematic and encompassing philosophy, the mind is fully considered in its relation to the principle of the outer object. This is why Liu Jiu yan and Ye Shi school disappeared, while Zhu-Xi school grew stable.