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#Doctrine of the Mean #Ghosts and Spirits #Doctrine of Sincerity (Cheng) #Metaphysics #Pre-Qin Confucianism

Analysis of 'Ghosts and Spirits' and the Doctrine of Sincerity in the Doctrine of the Mean: Metaphysical Foundations and the Manifestation of the Dao

This article deeply interprets the chapters on 'Ghosts and Spirits as Virtue' and 'Sincerity Accomplishes Itself' in the Doctrine of the Mean, investigating their significance as the core of Confucian metaphysics. By analyzing Pre-Qin conceptions of ghosts and spirits, the paper argues that the 'Ghosts and Spirits' chapter serves to demonstrate the ineffaceability of sincerity ('cheng'), thereby elucidating how the substance of sincerity corresponds to Heaven and sustains the world, revealing the ontological basis of the Doctrine of the Mean.

Tianwen Editorial Team February 7, 2026 80 min read PDF Markdown
Analysis of 'Ghosts and Spirits' and the Doctrine of Sincerity in the Doctrine of the Mean: Metaphysical Foundations and the Manifestation of the Dao

Bibliography of Cited Pre-Qin Texts

  1. I Ching (Including Classic and Commentaries—Tuan Zhuan, Xiang Zhuan, Xi Ci, Wen Yan, etc.)
  2. Book of Documents (Shangshu—Yao Dian, Da Yu Mo, Jin Teng, Kang Gao, Zhao Gao, etc.)
  3. Book of Odes (Shi Jing—Da Ya: Wen Wang, Da Ya: Yi, Da Ya: Da Ming, Da Ya: Si Qi, Da Ya: Xia Wu, etc.)
  4. Book of Rites (Liji—Zhongyong, Da Xue, Ji Tong, Ji Yi, Biao Ji, etc.)
  5. Rites of Zhou (Zhou Li—Chunguan: Dazongbo, etc.)
  6. Analects (Lun Yu—Xue Er, Wei Zheng, Ba Yi, Li Ren, Gong Ye Chang, Yong Ye, Shu Er, Tai Bo, Xian Jin, Yan Yuan, Wei Ling Gong, Ji Shi, Wei Zi, etc.)
  7. Mencius (Mengzi—Gongsun Chou (Part 1), Li Lou (Part 1), Wan Zhang (Part 2), Gaozi (Part 1), Jin Xin (Part 1), Jin Xin (Part 2), etc.)
  8. Zuo Zhuan (Duke Zhuang 10, Duke Zhuang 32, Duke Xiang 2, Duke Xiang 25, Duke Xiang 29, Duke Xuan 15, Duke Cheng 2, Duke Zhao 7, Duke Zhao 13, etc.)
  9. Discourses of the States (Guoyu—Zhou Yu Shang, Chu Yu Xia, etc.)
  10. Laozi (Chapters 2, 6, 14, 15, 25, 34, 36, 37, 41, 48, 60, 64, etc.)
  11. Zhuangzi (Qi Wu Lun, Da Zong Shi, Ying Di Wang, Zhi Bei You, etc.)
  12. Xunzi (Xing E, Bu Gou, etc.)
  13. Mozi (Ming Gui Xia, etc.)
  14. Guanzi (Xin Shu Shang, etc.)