On Tang Chien's Academic Thougt

Tang Chien was a famous Neo-Confucianist in later Ch'ing Dynasty. In the field of studying he revered Cheng-Zhu Confucian and despised Lu-Wang school,Sinology and the study of the article. Although he insisted the Orthodoxy of Cheng-Zhu, he also recommended " guard the Tao to rescue the age" and had some propositions of Jing-shi. The forming of his academic thought was inseparably relevant to the social and historical condition at that time as well as certain academic background and the family tradition of learning. Tang Chien's academic thought had some great influence on the academy and society at that time and the times followed to it.This thesis includes three parts ,the preface, text and conclusion.The preface elaberates mainly the current research situation and points out its shortage as the foundation of the thesis. The text consists of three parts. In the first part, the auther investigates the forming reasons of Tang Chien's academic thought , which includes the social and historical background, academic backdrop and the family tradition of learning etc and introduces thoroughly the chief experience of all his life .In the second one, the auther expounds the major content of Tang Chi en's academic ,of which the first was "Worship Cheng-Zhu alone and reject Lu-Wang strongly ", the next was "emphasize on Song Xue and despise Sinology", "Pay attention to argumantation and look down upon article"," Attach importance to the study of Confucian classic and advocate the view 'guard the Tao to rescue the age'". In the last part, the auther elaborates the important influence and historical status of Tang Chien's thought. Tang Chien and his academic thought have an important influence on the rejuvenation of Neo-Connicianism in the period of Emperor Xianfeng and Tongzhi and on the forming of the studying atmosphereof putting Confucian into society to practice at Hunan in later Ch'ing Dynasty. Though there is some defect in the thought of the Confucian orthodoxy and in the propositionsof "keep the Tao to rescue the age" advocated by Tang Chien, we should hold a positive attitude towards his historical status.