Wang Chuanshan's Criticism and Acceptance of Rao Shuangfeng's Explanation on Mengzi
In his book of Dusishudaquanshuo,Wang Chuanshan deeply examined the explanation of Mengzi by Rao Shuangfeng,one of Zhu Zi's second generation disciples.In terms of the methods of explaining classics,he severely criticized Rao Shuangfeng's distinguishing methods which were so overly analytical as to"mislead himself and others",as it were,"seeking gap from the field full of stones".For the view of Li and Qi,Chuanshan advocated that Li and Qi depend on each other which means Li and Qi are insepara-ble and Li and Shi are also indivisible.On human mind theory,Chuanshan strictly distinguished the differences among truth mind,o-riginal mind,and the mind of Buddhism and Taoism,and highly appreciated Shuangfeng's interpretation of regarding human mind as benevolence.On other aspects,such as benevolence and rites and music,benevolence and non-benevolence,filial piety and righteous-ness,Chuanshan put forward some new thought,especially criticized Shuangfeng's idea of"instructing parents in the way"for viola-ting the spirit of filial piety.Chuanshan's reflections on and acceptance of Shuangfeng showed that the formation and development of Chuanshan's thought was based on the inheritance and criticism of Zhu Xi's later disciples,which constituted an important source of Chuanshan's thought,displaying the fundamental color of Zhu Zi's philosophy in Chuanshan studies.
Wang ChuanshanRao Shuangfenglearning of Four BooksZhu Xi's learning