The essay aims to explain how we can understand the historical philosophy of li-ti-shi-yong in Zhu Xi’s world-view. The key point is the ontological doctrine of li-yi-fen-shu. It is based upon the methodology of Yili changeology the internal relatio...
The essay aims to explain how we can understand the historical philosophy of li-ti-shi-yong in Zhu Xi’s world-view. The key point is the ontological doctrine of li-yi-fen-shu. It is based upon the methodology of Yili changeology the internal relationship of changeology and history according to the historical contents of yin–yang. The category of yin-yang in the principle of biantong provides a basis for dimensional lines of ti-yong-yi-yuan, li-yi-fen-shu, and li-ti-shi-yong. It is based upon the changeological logic of ti-yongyi-yuan, applied to the ontological mode of li-yi-fen-shu, and concretized into the value-oriented realm of li-ti-shi-yong. They can be respectively classified into the dimension of historical spirit in history recognition which is oriented toward the sustainable horizon of historical philosophy of Neo-Confucianism. In particular, the horizon of historical philosophy is closely associated with a modern trend of historical contents. Zhu Xi attaches importance to the historical situation in the thinking way of changeology on the traditional basis that Yi-jing and its Commentaries is a kind of historical book. In the dimension of li-yi-fen-shu, changeology provides a theoretical method to history, and history provides practical historical data to changeology. He emphasizes historical examples as narrative theories according to the changeological logic of ti-yong-yi-yuan. In the unity of changeology and history in the understanding of Yili changeology, he searches for the natural law of tian-li between historical intersecting structures of good and vicious circulation. Thus, it fundamental for a historical view of development in Neo-Confucian community.