| Abstract |
The Yi-jing(The Book of Change) says that the Yi is originally still but acting after being inducted. Confucians in Song and Ming dynasties like to explain the consistency of the noumenon and phenomena. However, in the annotation by Han Confucians, the words are just comprehended in the angle of empirical phenomena. On the mental activity, the empirical interpretation is also consistent with the tradition. Even Mencius cannot neglect the importance of condition relevant to the presentation of conscience. The chapter of “exchanging the cow with the goat” is a good example. However, if the presentation of conscience is dependent on conditions outside, it will not be successive. In order to ensure the constancy of morality, Confucians in Song and Ming dynasties are inclined to suppose the existence of transcendent noumenon, which is beyond the trace of action and tranquil. Thus, the phenomena will become acting but still simultaneously within the noumenon. Lian-xi, Yang-ming, and Long-xi can be representatives. On the other hand, in consideration of that people’s thought are empirically mixed with good and evil, conservatives postpone the ideal state in the future. Zhuzi, Shuang-jiang, and Nian-an can be representatives. Furthermore, there will be similarity between Confucianism and Buddhism in the ideal state, which is an unexpected result of Neo- Confucianism.
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