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 1: The Dialectic of "Stored Knowledge" (Zang) and "Emptiness" (Xu)
Master Xunzi initiates his discussion of "Emptiness" with a profound insight:
"The Mind has never been without stored knowledge (zang 臧), yet there is what is called Emptiness (xu 虚)."
Zang means stored, accumulated. The Mind is never empty; it is constantly accumulating existing knowledge, experience, and memory. This is the basic state of the Mind. Yet, precisely on the premise that "the Mind has never been without stored knowledge," Master Xunzi posits the necessity of "Emptiness."
Here lies a most exquisite dialectical relationship: Emptiness does not mean the absence of accumulation, but accumulation that is not restrictive.
"Man is born with knowledge (zhi 知), and with knowledge comes accumulation (zhi 志); accumulation here means storage (zang 臧); yet there is what is called Emptiness; not allowing what is already stored to harm what is about to be received is called Emptiness."
Let us analyze the logic of this passage step by step:
First Level: "Man is born with knowledge (zhi)"—Humans innately possess the capacity for cognition. This affirms Master Xunzi’s belief in the inherent cognitive instinct of man. For a human to be human, they are born capable of knowing.
Second Level: "With knowledge comes accumulation (zhi)"—Cognitive activity generates memory and accumulation. Zhi here means "to remember" or "to store."
Third Level: "Accumulation here means storage (zang)"—Memory is storage. The Mind continuously stores the results of cognition; this is its natural function.
Fourth Level: "Yet there is what is called Emptiness"—But the Mind still requires "Emptiness."
Fifth Level: "Not allowing what is already stored to harm what is about to be received is called Emptiness"—If one prevents existing storage from obstructing the reception of new input, this is called Emptiness.
Why would existing knowledge "harm" future reception$13 This warrants deep investigation.