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The Formation of Zhou Dunyi’s Role in the Daoxue: A Critical Analysis of Biographical Sources

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Published/Copyright: January 21, 2017
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Abstract

This study presents a critical investigation on the biographical sources of the Neo-Confucian philosopher Zhou Dunyi (1017–1073), recognized as a pioneer of the tradition of Learning of the Way (Daoxue), also translated as Neo-Confucianism. Through a relevant translation and analysis of two textual typologies, namely the biographical chronology (nianpu) and the official biography (liezhuan) of Zhou Dunyi, according to their different uses of historiographical materials and epistemological assumptions, we aim to provide a portray of Zhou Dunyi in relation to the context of Daoxue. Zhou Dunyi’s individuality is established by an integration of two conceptual frameworks: one focuses on the historical representation, the other stresses the value of his Neo-Confucian personality. In both cases, there is a dynamics of legitimization of Zhou Dunyi’s role in order to create a Neo-Confucian philosophical and moral paradigm: this paper is an attempt to explain this process of formation and legitimization.

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Online erschienen: 2017-1-21
Erschienen im Druck: 2016-9-1

©2016 by De Gruyter

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  4. The semantic change of the word min 民 in texts of the Eastern Zhou Period (771–221 BC)
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