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.
Appendix: A List of Pre-Qin Texts Cited in This Article
For the convenience of the reader, the pre-Qin texts cited in this article are listed below:
I. Xunzi, Jie Bi (On Dispelling Obscuration) II. The Analects (Various chapters, including Zihan, Weizheng, Shu Er, Bayi, Liren, Yanyuan, Yan Yuan, Weiling Gong, Zilü) III. Mencius (Various chapters, including Gongsun Chou Shang, Gaozi Shang, Teng Wen Gong Xia, Jin Xin Shang, Jin Xin Xia) IV. Dao De Jing (Also known as Laozi, Chapters 1, 4, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 22, 26, 33, 37, 39, 45, 48, 51, 52) V. Zhuangzi (Chapters including Ren Jian Shi, De Chong Fu, Qi Wu Lun, Qiu Shui, Tian Dao, Yang Sheng Zhu) VI. Guanzi (Chapters Xin Shu Shang, Nei Ye) VII. Zhou Yi (The Qian and Kun Hexagrams, the Guan Hexagram, and the Appendices: Xi Ci Shang, Xi Ci Xia, Shuo Gua, Wen Yan) VIII. Shang Shu (The Books of Great Yu, Shun Dian, Gao Yü) IX. Shi Jing (The Book of Songs: Zhou Nan, Juan Er; Bei Feng, Bai Zhou; Xiao Ya, Qiao Yan; Xiao Ya, Shi Yue Zhi Jiao; Da Ya, Sheng Min; Da Ya, Da Ming) X. The Great Learning (Da Xue) XI. The Doctrine of the Mean (Zhong Yong) XII. Rites of Zhou (The Rites of Sacrifice, The Rites of Archery) XIII. Guoyu (Chu Yu Xia) XIV. Mozi (Jing Shang) XV. Shan Hai Jing (Da Huang Bei Jing)
All texts cited were composed or record thought from the pre-Qin period, strictly avoiding materials from the Han Dynasty onward, in adherence to the scope of this study.
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Compiled by the Xuanji Editorial Department