A Diachronic Study of Wang Bi's Thinking: The Shift from Sainthood without Affection to Sainthood with Affection

Title

A Diachronic Study of Wang Bi's Thinking: The Shift from Sainthood without Affection to Sainthood with Affection

Author

Kuan-hung WU

Page

145-174

DOI

Abstract

Existing studies tend to interpret Wang Bi's thinking as shengren wuqing youqingshuo (discourse on "sainthood with or without affection"). Therefore, a diachronic study of his thought is yet to be conducted. This paper will consider two "Other" figures who have close intellectual affinity with Wang Bi—Confucius and Ho Yen—in order to trace the development of Wang Bi's thinking.
By re-examining Zhixuenrongshu, the present author will use a perspective that involves both Wang Bi and Confucius and will lay bare the significance of Confucius as the Other in Wang Bi's thinking, i.e. as serving a mediatory role. One the one hand, this study will discuss Wang Bi's shift from questioning Confucius to reconfirming him, tracing Wang Bi's shift in thinking from sainthood without affection to sainthood with affection. On the other hand, by using a perspective that involves both Ho Yan and Wang Bi, this study will highlight the subtle relationship between their thoughts—Wang Bi, though deeply influenced by Ho Yen, attempted to surpass him. As such, this paper hopes to reveal the link between Ho Yen's shengren wuqingshuo (discourse on sainthood without affection) and Wang Bi's shift to shengren youqingshuo. As such, this study reverses the assumed opposition between the two thinkers and establishes their connection, demonstrating they shed light on each other.
Furthermore, this study will reconsider the conflict between Wang Bi's thinking and action in light of Self-Other contrast — a perspective in contrast with Confucianism and Taoism, which emphasize consistency in thought and action. Through an examination of all these complexities, this study hopes to reveal We-Jin's culture in a new light.

Keyword

Wang Bi, wuqing, youqing, saint, the Other, diachrony

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