Cheng–Zhu school
{{Short description|One of the major philosophical schools of Neo-Confucianism}}
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The School of Principle ({{lang-zh|p=Lǐxué|t=理學|s=理学}}), or the Cheng–Zhu School ({{lang-zh|p=Chéng Zhū lǐxué|t=程朱理學}}), is one of the major philosophical schools of Neo-Confucianism, based on the ideas of the Neo-Confucian philosophers Cheng Yi, Cheng Hao, and Zhu Xi. It is also referred to as the Rationalistic School.{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=A0qs9W6Km6UC&pg=PA545 |title= A Source Book in Chinese Philosophy |date= 2 September 2008 |pages=545–546 |isbn=9781400820030 |publisher=Princeton University Press }}
Metaphysics
Zhu Xi's formulation of the Neo-Confucian world view is as follows. He believed that the {{Transliteration|zh|Dao}} ({{lang-zh|links=no|c=道|p= dào|l=way}}) of {{Transliteration|zh|Tian}} ({{lang-zh|links=no|c=天|p=tiān|l=heaven}}) is expressed in principle or {{Transliteration|zh|li}} ({{lang-zh|links=no|c=理|p= lǐ}}), but that it is sheathed in matter or {{Transliteration|zh|qi}} ({{lang-zh|links=no|c=氣|p=qì}}). In this, his system is based on Buddhist systems of the time that divided things into principle (again, {{Transliteration|zh|li}}), and {{Transliteration|zh|shi}} ({{lang-zh|links=no|c=事|p=shì}}).
In contrast to Buddhists and Daoists, Neo-Confucians did not believe in an external world unconnected with the world of matter. In addition, Neo-Confucians in general rejected the idea of reincarnation and the associated idea of karma.
Human nature and rationality
In the Neo-Confucian formulation, {{Transliteration|zh|li}} in itself is pure and almost-perfect, but with the addition of {{Transliteration|zh|qi}}, base emotions and conflicts arise. Human nature is originally good, the Neo-Confucians argued (following Mencius), but not pure unless action is taken to purify it. The imperative is then to purify one's {{Transliteration|zh|li}}.
Different Neo-Confucians had differing ideas for how to do so. Zhu Xi believed in {{Transliteration|zh|gewu}} ({{lang-zh|links=no|c=格物|p=géwù}}), the 'investigation of things', essentially an academic form of observational science, based on the idea that li lies within the world.
References
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