Many levels of One: context and structure in Zhu Xi's concept of Li

Thesis

Zhu Xi’s discussion on the oneness of Li involves two interrelated dimensions: 1) oneness of Li-content and 2) oneness of Li-form. The former dimension involves the unity of Li across various topical discussions like epistemology, metaphysics, ethics, and so on. For example, how metaphysical Li has moral implications, how Li can be both prescriptive and descriptive, and so on. The latter dimension accounts for the unity of Li across different structural relations: how different configurations of one and many Li relation are essentially one. These two dimensions are intricately interweaved as the structural relation or form is manifest in and expressed through the content of Li. Hence, the oneness of Li requires a holistic understanding involving both dimensions. However, the majority of contemporary scholarship focuses on the oneness of Li-content.

This dissertation, therefore, aims to complement the current scholarship by focusing mainly on the form of Li, and its unity, across different topics. Specifically, I provide a unified framework that accounts for the different configurations of the one and many Li relation. To do so, I advance three arguments spanning across different topics. The first argument investigates Zhu Xi’s use of the moon analogy. I argue that the one and many Li relation expressed by his moon analogy is not representative of his one and many position and we should be looking at the plant and water analogy instead. The second argument examines the topic of heterodoxy and learning. Here, I identify Zhu Xi’s balancing act which serves to highlight the complementary relation between the one and many Li. The third argument uses the cosmological process found in the Explanation of the Diagram of Great Ultimate to nuance the complementary relation between the one and many Li. Specifically, Li is a multi-layered structure constituted by conceptual schemes of Li with increasing levels of detail; the one Li being the most general conceptual scheme and Li of myriad things being most specific. The multi-layered structure of Li also serves as a way of thinking and reasoning form that can be applied to other iterations of Li. In particular, I apply this multi-layered structure of Li to Zhu Xi’s discussion on humaneness, where humaneness is parsed at different levels of detail. In sum, to respond to the perennial question of Li being both one and many, this dissertation understands Li as a conceptual scheme that can be contextualised at varying degrees of specificity.

Authors: Chew, S

• DOI: 10.5287/ora-zgem18myx
• Type of award: DPhil
• Level of award: Doctoral
• Awarding institution: University of Oxford
• Language: English