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 Harm of "Dream-Fantasies and Clamor" (Meng Ju) – Why Do Distractions Disturb Cognition$27
Meng Ju—"Dream" refers to illusory, vain thoughts; "Clamor" (ju 剧) refers to turbulent, intense thoughts. Together, they denote those illusory and chaotic mental activities.
Why do these illusory and chaotic mental activities "disturb knowledge" (luan zhi 乱知)$28
This involves a fundamental issue: the Mind’s capacity for activity is limited. Although the Mind can perform multiple activities simultaneously ("never without motion"), when some of these activities become too intense or chaotic, they consume the Mind’s energy, preventing it from engaging in clear cognitive judgment.
A person who has suffered a nightmare often remains shaken and dazed after waking, unable to immediately enter a clear state of thought—this is the direct experience of "dreams disturbing knowledge."
A person filled with various distracting thoughts tries to focus on a problem but is constantly interrupted—this is the daily experience of "clamor disturbing knowledge."
A metaphor Master Xunzi uses later in the text exquisitely reveals the mechanism of Meng Ju Luan Zhi:
"Thus the Human Mind is like water in a shallow tray. If placed correctly and not stirred, the muddy sediment settles below, and the clear brightness remains above; it is then sufficient to see the eyebrows and hair and discern principles. If a slight breeze passes over it, the sediment below stirs, and the clear brightness above becomes chaotic, so that one cannot capture the true form. The Mind is just like this."
The Mind is like water in a tray. When placed correctly and left undisturbed, the sediment sinks to the bottom, and the clear water remains on top, enabling one to see the eyebrows and discern the features. But if a slight breeze blows, stirring the sediment below and clouding the water above, one cannot even see the general outline of the face. The Mind is just the same.
In the state of "Stillness," the Mind is like still, clear water, capable of accurately reflecting external things; but under the agitation of "dream-clamor," the Mind is like muddied water, losing its capacity for clear reflection.