Li Zhi Confucianism Thought Study

The history of Li Zhi thought study has been firstly investigated and summarized in detail in the dissertation. As a lonely thinker, Li Zhi's Confucianism thought was thoroughly developed in the Confucianism society's context of the Chia-ching, Lung-ch'ing and Wan-li by the reconstruction method invented by the author of the dissertation which emphasizes the subjective of Chinese thought and the expression of ancient Chinese language. Through Li Zhi's course of pursuing Dao, the tension between the Confucianism society and heretical but creative thinker was unfolded.The innovations of the dissertation are as follows: compared with Cai Qing, the dissertation concluded that geographical environment was not crucial factor in creating a heretical thinker; Li Zhi's father had a deep influence on the course of seeking Dao all the Li Zhi's life; as a son, grandson and government official, Li Zhi fulfilled his society duties and was a qualified man in Confucianism society all the way until his retirement; from the debates between Li Zhi and Geng Dingxiang, it was not difficult to find that a scholar chasing the innovation of Confucianism doctrine will find no common ground of discussion with a bureaucrat who only cares for the order of Confucianism society; Li Zhi was sent to prison for his heretical history works which violated the moral law of Confucianism society.