Between Morality and Nature: Rethinking about the Controversy and Differences Between Zhu Xi and Chen Liang

The debate between Zhu Xi and Chen Liang is also called debate between Wang Ba and Yi Li. In fact, this is just a generalization from Zhu Xi’s standpoint. This generalization is unfair not only to Chen Liang but also to the understanding of Zhu Xi’s philosophy. As far as their differences are concerned, their arguments are based on different evaluation on and the and Tang Dynasties. They involve not only different understandings of three generations and Han and Tang Dynasties, but also their different views of history and life values. The relationship between nature and morality or between Li and Qi plays a central role in their arguments. As a result, Zhu Xi’s discussion on the debate between Wang Ba and Yi Li and his view of the relationship between Li and Qi are not merely determined by theoretical logic. There are specific practical political concerns and life-values concerns. Chen Liang’s view that everything is derived from nature, however, is different from Zhu Xi’s. It is closer to the advantages of real life. To some extent, their differences imply a problem of how to understand Li and its transcendentality in Confucianism.