Inquiry on Zhu Xi's Theory of

Title

Inquiry on Zhu Xi's Theory of

Author

Seung-hwan LEE

Page

129-153

DOI

Abstract

The famous Neo-Confucian Scholar, Zhu Xi conceives that human beings retain two dimensions of disposition (or character traits), namely a disposition that flowed from "original nature" and one that flowed from "temperament". While temperament is a natural tendency formed by the physiological structure of the human body, original nature is an ideal and potential tendency preserved in human sub-consciousness. According to Zhu Xi, human beings, in spite of the potential nature which is originally good, find it are hard to actualize their potential nature owing to the influence of temperament. The purpose of Zhu Xi's theory of cultivation lies at, by removing the influence of temperament, actualizing the original nature in order to ascend the level of personhood to the utmost. Thus, the aim of this article is composed of three different but closely connected themes: first of all, the author will examine how Zhu Xi, in his theory of removing the influence of temperament, reconciles free will with determinism; secondly, the author will examine what kind of effort or practice is required to remove the influence of temperament which originated from physiological nature; and lastly, the author will examine how Zhu Xi's theory of cultivation can be meaningfully reinterpreted from a view point of philosophical therapy and character ethics.

Keyword

Zhu Xi, temperament, disposition, character, personhood, cultivation, philosophical clinic

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