理学
Neo-Confucianism
Chinese Philosophy ·Neo-Confucianism (理学 Lǐ Xué) is a major revival of Confucian philosophy that emerged during the Song dynasty (960–1279) and dominated East Asian intellectual life for centuries. It synthesized Confucian ethics with Buddhist metaphysics and Daoist cosmology, centering on the concept of li (理) — the principle or pattern that structures all reality.
Lǐ Xué
What Are the Key Facts About Neo-Confucianism?
- Tradition: Chinese Philosophy
- Chinese: 理学
- Category:
- Definition: Neo-Confucianism (理学 Lǐ Xué) is a major revival of Confucian philosophy that emerged during the Song dynasty (960–1279) and dominated East Asian intellectual life for centuries.
What Concepts Are Related to Neo-Confucianism?
Wang Yangming 王阳明Frequently Asked Questions About Neo-Confucianism
What is Neo-Confucianism?
Neo-Confucianism is the revival and re-systematization of Confucianism from the Song dynasty (11th c.) onward, absorbing Buddhist and Daoist metaphysics while defending Confucian ethics.
Who were the major Neo-Confucians?
The Cheng brothers (Cheng Hao, Cheng Yi), Zhu Xi (the Li-Qi system and Four Books), and later Wang Yangming (liangzhi, unity of knowledge-action).
What is the li-qi metaphysics?
Zhu Xi's dualism: li (principle/pattern) and qi (vital force) jointly constitute things; li is the universal order, qi the material that realizes it.
How did it affect China?
It became the official state ideology and examination curriculum for centuries, shaping law, family, and education across East Asia.