A Deep Study of Xunzi's 'Jie Pi' Chapter: On the Cognitive Foundations of the Mind—Emptiness, Unity, and Tranquility
This paper provides an in-depth analysis of the core proposition in Xunzi's 'Jie Pi' concerning the nature of cognition: 'How does man know$41 By the mind. How does the mind know$42 By being empty, unified, and tranquil.' It systematically interprets the dialectical relationship and philosophical implications of 'emptiness' (xu), 'unity' (yi), and 'tranquility' (jing) in cognition, tracing their ancient intellectual origins to reveal the systematicity and sophistication of Pre-Qin cognitive theory.
Section 2: The Intellectual Status of the Jie Bi Chapter
The chapter Jie Bi occupies a supremely pivotal position within Master Xunzi’s collected works. The title, "Dispelling Obscuration," means: "Dispelling" (jie 解) is to undo or eliminate; "Obscuration" (bi 蔽) is to cover or veil. The core purpose of the entire chapter is to reveal how human cognition becomes obscured and how to eliminate this obscuration to attain the state of "Great Clarity and Brightness" (Da Qing Ming 大清明).
Master Xunzi constructs a complete and precise cognitive theory in this chapter:
First, the status of the Mind is discussed: The Mind is the ruler of the form (xing 形), and the lord of spiritual luminosity (shen ming 神明). Second, the conditions for knowledge are discussed: Emptiness, Singularity, and Stillness. Third, the harm caused by obscuration is discussed: The affliction of most people is being obscured by a single corner and thus being ignorant of the Great Principles. Fourth, the method of dispelling obscuration is discussed: Guiding it with principles (li 理) and nurturing it with purity (qing 清). Fifth, the state of "Great Clarity and Brightness" is discussed: Nothing having form is unseen, nothing seen is unanalyzed, and nothing analyzed loses its proper place.
These five layers interlock, collectively constituting the most systematic and rigorous philosophy of cognition in the pre-Qin era.