丁茶山 經學思想 硏究

Tasan’s Approach to Confucianism

Tasan tried to approach Confucian thought through the canons bypassing Chu Hsi’s commentary, hence his insistence, on ethics and its practice comes in contrast with Chu Hsi’s philosophical speculation. Confucius’ contemporary philosophy too tends to place Tasan in the long history of Confucian scholarship. In the conception of divinity Tasan was monotheistic as Chu Hsi was near-pantheistic. To Confucius fate was primarily in national terms, while to Tasan it was associated with individuals in harmony with heaven’s grand design. Again in speculations on human nature- held to be good- Tasan argued in human terms, whereas Chu Hsi held its externalized view as part of an orderly universe. Being a practical man interested in social welfare, Tasan opted for Mencius’ concern for social welfare rather than Confucius’ concern with the welfare of·the state and individuals’ character perfection.