Individual And Authenticity

The philosophy of Li Zhi was presented as a unique form in the history of Chinese philosophy. It not only stood in opposition to Orthodoxy Confucian but also was introspection to Confucian traditional ideas.Li Zhi interpreted the significance of individual and authenticity as two core ideas which were linked in his philosophy. Authenticity was the most fundamental value principle connected to being, ethic, cognition, and realm of individual. Thus, authentic value through authenticity, sincerity, truth, thusness and authentic tao of individual was discussed and "what is authentic individual?" was revealed in Li Zhi’s philosophy.In ontology area, innocent-mind was a logical point in the discussion of authenticity individual. It was not limited by morality-reason and opposed to heavenly-principle. Innocent-mind and authentic-mind could be connected each other, which meant individual is always authentic. When individual was placed in reality area, it would get a self-sufficient charact.In ethical area, on the one hand, individual sincerity needed anybody to do not deceive; on the other hand, it depended on consciousness of individual. The foundation of ethic of friends was further interpretation to sincerity. Natural disposition was more important to perceptual and natural emotion can transcend limitation of orthodox rite. Facing up to natural desires and interests not only indicated the significance of perceptual being of individual but also had the utilitarian features. In epistemology area, false vulgar culture would be negatived and truth would be sought when individual paid attention to authenticity. The principle of relativism made truth get relativity for breaking the Orthodox Confucian thinking model. As a necessary part of understanding, evaluation could also be understood as the authentic expression of the sense of individuality.Furthermore,"realm" contained multidimensional personality sense and it also included the individual value of life and ultimate concern in Li Zhi’s philosophy. Freedom of individual could not adhere to principle of reason and maintained independent personality. In the pursuit of individual wisdom, individual could get self-contained or pleasure in the heart. Li Zhi admired "Kuang Person" and affirmed its social value. He treated individuals with equal idea through "tao" and made them to thusness with thinking about being and non-being."Tao" of reality about people lives also had authentic value."Bu rong yi" was discussed to authentic tao by Li Zhi. He paid attention to value of realism individual, which not only interpreted "how to treat personal value?" but also revealed secret of people words. In Li Zhi’s viewpoint, personal value should not adhere to the moral standard. It also showed solicitude for individual value.Thinking about "what is authentic individual?" meant that difference values from the mainstream culture values would be established. Obviously, it provided a kind of direction for the individual who had lost self value in the late Ming Dynasty.However, Li Zhi’s philosophy had its theoretical limitations. To destructive attitude critique of Orthodox Confucianism, it also exposed the lack of theoretical construction. Nevertheless, in the view of Chinese philosophy, Li Zhi’s philosophy still has significant value.