A New Approach to the Study of Zhang Zai's Theory on Human Nature

Zhang Zai is one of the most important philosophers who first reconstruct the Human Nature Theory in the Song and the Ming Dynasty.His theory is greatly different from those by other philosophers in three aspects.First,Zhang Zai's Theory on Human Nature is based on the cosmology which explains the origin of the human nature.Secondly,he points out that human nature is composed of nature of heaven and substantiation,the former of which is shaded by the latter.Thirdly,his view of exploring thoroughly the logos and the intrinsic character to get the natural regulations and knowing the courtesies and forming the characters has enriched his theory on human nature.