Chu Hsi

Chu Hsi , 1130-1200, Chinese philosopher of Neo-Confucianism. While borrowing heavily from Buddhism, his new metaphysics reinvigorated Confucianism. According to Chu Hsi, the normative principle of human nature is pure and good. Expressed in concrete form human nature is less than perfect, but it can be refined through self-cultivation based on study of the classics. His thought was orthodox during the Yüan, Ming, and Ch'ing dynasties. For 600 years students memorized his classical commentaries until the Chinese examination system was abolished in 1905.

Bibliography: See studies by W.-T. Chan (1987, 1989).

Chu Hsi (1130–1200). Chinese philosopher, who developed the analysis of neo-Confucian concepts, accepting influence from both Buddhism and Taoism, in a form which persisted to the 20th cent. Since he attended closely to the work of his predecessor, Chʾeng Yi (see CHʾENG HAO), his school is often known as that—i.e Chʾeng-chu, though also as ‘the school of principle’, Li-hsüeh. In practical terms, he did much to establish the Four Classics as the basis of education. He wrote commentaries on the Confucian Classics, insisting on a realism in the pursuit of jen (true humanity) which he contrasted with Buddhism. He is therefore often held to be the beginning of positivistic or scientific method in Chinese thought.