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 4: Resonance with Mencius
Mencius’s thought also contains much that echoes Master Xunzi’s cognitive theory.
On the Status of the Mind:
"The function of the Mind is to think; with thinking, one obtains; without thinking, one does not obtain. This is what Heaven has given me. If one first establishes the greater part, the smaller parts cannot take it away. This is what makes one a Great Man." (Mencius, Gongsun Chou Shang)
The function of the Mind is thought. If one first establishes the Mind’s supremacy ("the greater part"), the senses ("the smaller parts") cannot interfere. This directly corresponds to Master Xunzi’s assertion that "The Mind is the ruler of the form."
On "Singularity":
We previously cited Mencius’s story of Yi Qiu teaching chess, illustrating the importance of concentration, which is not repeated here. Furthermore, Mencius has another important discourse:
"Mencius said: 'Do not do what you ought not to do; do not desire what you ought not to desire; that is all there is to it.'" (Mencius, Jin Xin Shang)
Not doing what one ought not to do, not desiring what one ought not to desire—this simple statement implies a profound understanding of "Singularity"—focusing the Mind on what ought to be done and what ought to be desired, preventing distraction by things that ought not to be done or desired.
On "Nurturing Qi" and "Nurturing the Mind":
"I am good at nurturing my vast, overflowing vital energy (hao ran zhi qi 浩然之气). ... When this energy is cultivated, it is extremely great and firm; if nurtured directly without harm, it fills the space between Heaven and Earth." (Mencius, Gongsun Chou Shang)
Mencius’s doctrine of "Nurturing Qi" shares common ground with Master Xunzi’s "nurturing it with purity"—both emphasize long-term cultivation to maintain the Mind/Qi in a state of uprightness and luminosity.
"There is no better way to nurture the Mind than to have few desires. If a person has few desires, even if some part of his Mind is lost, it is little; if a person has many desires, even if some part remains, it is little." (Mencius, Jin Xin Xia)
The best way to nurture the Mind is to reduce desires. A person with few desires loses little, even if some part of his Mind is lost; a person with many desires retains little, even if some part remains. "Few desires" is a specific practice of "Emptiness"—reducing the myriad desires within the Mind to maintain its openness and receptivity.