ZHU Xi’s Theory of the Mean and Harmony:MOU Zong-san’s Analysis

The theory of the mean and harmony is the key of the development and accomplishment of Zhu Xi’s philosophy thought. Mr.MOU Zong-san held that originally Zhu Xi’s former theory of the mean and harmony contained authentic Confucian theory of Pre-Qin and Song-Ming period. But due to Zhu Xi’s misunderstanding of “Metaphysical Reality” and Mencius’ “Moral Mind”, and confused the show of moral mind and the come forth of emotions of pleasure or anger, sorrow or joy, Zhu’s meaning of “emotions do not come forth” and “emotions do come forth” in his former theory of the mean and harmony were not agree with the Doctrine of the Mean. Hence Zhu Xi felt uncertain and finally abandoned his former theory of the mean and harmony and established his new theory. According to Mr.Mou, Zhu’s new theory of the mean and harmony, in reality, the “Metaphysical Reality” and the “Moral Mind ”or “Moral Creative Nature” were broken and became two parts of Reason and Matter or three parts of Mind and Nature and Emotion, and thus the “Moral Mind” went under. As for the method of spiritual cultivation, Zhu’s “Extension of Knowledge Through Investigation of Things” cannot understand the transcendent basis of the possibility of moral behavior. Therefore, Moral Mind lost the meaning of inward moral creative fountain, and the moral power was reduced owing to its “Heteronomy”.