A New Study On Gong Zizhen's Philosophy

Gong Zizhen was a significant thinker in later Qing Dynastey. He stood at the turning point from the traditional form to the modern one. Focusing the issue of Self, this dissertation tries to examine his philosophy in a new comprehensive way.There is a shift on the view of self from the ancient time to the modern time, that is, from a self within a holistic framework dominated by Heavenly Command, Heavenly Principle, nature or god to an independent self. It is Gong Zizhen who treats Self philosophically for the first time.Gong promotes Self as the creator and therefore the first principle of the world, which marks the beginning of a modern understanding of Self. Firstly, as far as the debate of Heaven and Human is concerned, Self is not subject to Heavenly Command. On the contrary, Self is the master of Heavenly Command. In this way there is a dichotomy between the subject and the object. Secondly, as far as the debate of Humanly Power and Heavenly Command is concerned, Self does affirm itself in the creation and practice as the manifestation of inner will. Thirdly, as far as the debate of Prnciple and Desire is concerned, emotional elements and sentient desires are necessary and rightful for Self. Fourthly, Self is an individual independent from social group or family.Self also plays a new role in the politcal domain. Gong argues the independence of politics from moral, that of the current from the past, that of ruler-orders from Heavenly Command. The political justification is founded upon reason rather than traditional authority or custom.With the promotion of Self history becomes meaningful since Self has freed itself from the inevitability of nature and can consequently creat history for itself. The significant of history originates from the current creation rather than any ideal past such as Three Dynasties. Every time is particular and self-sufficient in significance."If one will to know great Dao, he must study history firstly."According to Gong, Self rather than Heavenly Command, is the root of moral. Gong re-estimates traditonal values, claims new moral ideal and advocates an authentic ethics based on self-autonomy. In this way Gong has developped the moral doctrines in Qianlong and Jiaqing Reigns, which insist the replacement of Principle with Propriety, the naturalistic nature of human being, and the importance of emotions, sentient desires and utilitarian approach.