Cheng Hao Philosophical Studies

Neo-Confucianism arise in Beisong Dynasty and became a main thought through Wei-Jin and Tang Dynasty over about 800 years. From Confucius and Mencius, the purpose of Confucianism is to become a saint internal and an emperor external. This is Confucian's steady credit. Metaphysics and Buddhism are trend of thoughts over 800 years. The Confucian's theory of "an organic whole of the heaven and human being " became a secondary one .Neo-Confucianism's basic frame was established by five-Beisong Dynasty-Confucian after Hanyi and Li'ao revived Confucianism and three-Beisong Dynasty-Confucian succeed. Zhoudunyu is a pioneer. Zhangzai and Cheng-brother are founders of Neo-Confucianism.Ethic metaphysics of three-part frame of principle-and-ether, mind-and-nature and practice was founded by Cheng-brother, who regarded principle as core concept. A new conception indicate a new philosophic school. Cheng-brother is Neo-Confucianism's founder in deed in some sense.It is normally regarded that Chenghao and Chengyi individually became pioneer of theory of "mind" and one of theory "principle". Cheng-brother's anas in Cheng-shi yi-shu and Chengyi's " Yi-chuan Yi-chuan" are primary data. So far, there is few book about Chenghao, because of the scarcity of data.. There is few Chenghao's ana in Cheng-shi yi-shu., But, he is the first philosopher who regarded "principle" as core concept.. The study of Chenghao will be helpful to the depth of Neo-confucianism.The thesis is divided into five chapters.Chapter I "Cheng's life and writing" The chapter choose Chenghao's Ana according to the strict norms: K It is only that anas which are given clear indication of Chenghao can be referred. 2^ Those which are selected into Song-yuan xue 'an can be referred too. So 470 anas can be introduced.Chapter II "The topic of Neo-confucianism" The chapter retrospect the theory of Confucius, and outline the arising of Neo-confucianism and the challenge from Buddhism. The main topic of Neo-confucianism proved the possibility and inevitability of morals.Chapter III "About principle" principle is transcendent noumenon. It behaves objective and universe. The nature of principle is "produce". This gives predominence to the purpose of the Haven. Although Principle is transcendent, metaphysics can not depart from physics.Chapter IV "About mind and nature" nature is transcendent noumenon. Mind is not only principle but also nature. Mind is passion. So mind is not internal and not external too. The realization of principle is in the moral practice.Chapter V "About practice and bourn" The core of practice is reverence. It includes the investigation of the principles and the cultivation of qi. Noumenon and phenomenon is an organic whole .