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 3: The Political Cognition of "Sitting in a room, one sees the Four Seas"
"Sitting in a room, one sees the Four Seas; dwelling in the present, one discusses antiquity."
This is not only a description of the "Great Clarity and Brightness" state but also a requirement for the ideal ruler's cognitive ability.
A good ruler does not need to travel across the Four Seas to know the situation there—by establishing comprehensive systems for information gathering and reporting (such as the "wind collection" (cai feng 采风) system), he can grasp the dynamics of the realm from within his palace.
A good ruler does not need to personally experience everything in the past to understand the lessons of history—by studying historical texts and the experience of predecessors, he can make reasonable judgments in the present.
The foundation for this ability is "Emptiness, Singularity, and Stillness":
"Emptiness"—not filtering information through one’s own pre-existing biases, but openly receiving reports from all directions.
"Singularity"—not being overwhelmed by the flood of information, but grasping the core concerns and focusing energy on the most critical issues.
"Stillness"—not being agitated by urgent but trivial matters, but maintaining inner calm to make sober judgments.