Ep. 191 | The History of Chinese Philosophy (Part 8)

This is an all Neo-Confucian episode. In the last episode, Laszlo introduced three of the five founders of Neo-Confucianism: Zhou Dunyi, Shao Yong, and Zhang Zai. This time we finish off with the remaining two founders: the Cheng Brothers, Cheng Hao, and Cheng Yi. And taking this rich harvest to the next level is Zhu Xi.

The basic tenets of Neo-Confucianism are also introduced, with a focus on lǐ (principle) and xīn (mind) and how these two concepts caused a great divide in the two main schools of Neo-Confucianism. Qì (life-force) is also examined, and how that fits into the big picture.

The episode closes with an introduction to the extraordinary life of someone getting a lot of press these days in China, Wang Yangming, and his contributions to Neo-Confucianism.

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Terms in Episode

Pinyin/Term	Chinese	English/Meaning
Chūnqiū	春秋	The Spring and Autumn Annals
Chǔ	楚国	Located around Hubei, one of the Warring States
Duke Xiào of Qín	秦孝公	Lived 381-338 BCE. Employed Shang Yang to institute all kinds of reforms that bore fruit a century later
Dàojiā	道家	Daoism, the philosophy
Dǒng Zhòngshū	董仲舒	Great official from the Western Han 179-104 BCE.
Emperor Huán	汉桓帝	Eastern Han emperor who reigned 146 to 168 CE
Fēng Shǔi	风水	A system that harmonizes everyone with the surrounding environment
Guǎn Zhòng	管仲	720-645 BCE Great reformer and statesman of the Qi State. Advisor to the ruler Duke Huan. Confucius thought highly of him
Hàn Gāozǔ	汉高祖	The founding emperor of the Han Dynasty, formerly known as Liu Bang
Hàn Wǔdì	汉武帝	One of China's greatest emperors. Lived from 156 to 87 BCE
Hán Fēi	韩非	Also known as Han Feizi. He lived 280-233 BCE
Hán State	韩国	One of the seven Warring States of the Eastern Zhou
Hénán	河南	Ancient province in China
Jìxià Academy	稷下学宫	Established in the State of Qi. A lot of great philosophers got their start there
King Nǎn	周赧王	The Last Zhou Dynasty king, deposed in 256 BCE
Liù Yì	六艺	The Six Arts...Rites, Music, Archery, Charioteering, Calligraphy and Math
Liú Bāng	刘邦	One of Fortune's Favorites, the founder of the Han Dynasty
Liú Xīn	刘歆	46 BCE to 23 CE Curator of the Imperial Library
Lùnhéng	论衡	Balanced Discussions
Lǐ Jì	礼记	The Book of Rites
Lǐ Sī	李斯	Chancellor to the first emperor and a contributor to Legalist thought
Lǔ Bùwéi	吕不韦	Early supporter of Ying Zheng (a.k.a. Qin Shihuang)
Mèngzǐ	孟子	Confucian great (and his book). He lived 372-289 BCE
Nányuè	南越	Kingdom down in the southernmost region of China
Qìgōng	气功	An ancient Chinese health care system that integrates body postures, breathing techniques and focused intention.
Qí	齐国	Zhou Era state located in Shandong
Qín	秦朝	The first dynasty of imperial China 221 to 206 BCE
Rú School	儒家	Confucianism
Shèn Dào	慎到	Philosopher who lived 350-275 BCE. Had a big impact on later Legalism
Shāng Yāng	商鞅	Left a huge mark on the development and triumph of Legalist thought. Lived 390 to 338 BCE
Shāngzǐ/ Shāng Jūn Shū	商子/商君书	The work written by Shang Yang
Shānxī	山西	Ancient province in China
Shēn Bùhài	申不害	Lived 400-337 BCE. Along with Shen Dao, he was a major influence on Han Fei
Shī Jīng	诗经	The Book of Odea
Shǐ Jì	史记	The Record of the Grand Historian
Sīmǎ Tán	司马谈	Father of Sima Qian. He began the Records of the Grand Historian and his son finished it up.
Tiān Mìng	天命	The Mandate of Heaven
Wáng Chōng	王充	Philosopher who lived 27-100 CE
Wèi	魏国	One of the northern Warring States
Wǔ Xíng	五行	The Five Elements: Fire, Earth, Metal, Water, Wood
Xiányáng	咸阳	Near present day Xian, the capital of the Qin State and the Dynasty
Xúnzǐ	荀子	Master Xun, who lived 313-238 BCE
Yuè Nán	越南	Vietnam
Yáng Xióng	杨雄	Philosopher who lived from 53 BCE to 18 CE
Yìjīng	易经	The I Ching or Book of Changes
Yíng Zhèng	嬴政	Founder of the Qin Dynasty
Yīn and Yáng	阴阳	The two opposing forces that cause changes in everything and everyone
Zhuāngzǐ	庄子	The man and the book. He lived from 369-286 BCE
Zhào Kuāngyìn	赵匡胤	The founding emperor of the Song Dynasty, also known as Song Taizu

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