| Abstract |
The communion between Confucianism and Taoism is a major topic extensively discussed during Wei & Chin Dynasties. Metaphysician such as Wang Pi (王弼) advocated the principles that “The saint shall comprehend the meaning of nothingness” and “taking Taoism as essential and Confucianism as trivial”. He was the one who posed a fundamental direction to practice. The rationale of Juan Chi (阮籍) in his early stage was comparable with Wang Pi. On the other hand, Chi Kang (稽康) developed a different aspect for the communion between Confucianism and Taoism, by practice and maintenance of his moral life. Another scholar, Kuo Hsiang (郭象), asserted “external and internal harmony” and “the practice of benevolence by the natural disposition”. Based on the theory, he refined the rationale as “the Confucian teachings of ethics originated from nature”. Therefore, Confucianism and Taoism became union and compatible. The philosophy suggested by Kuo Hsiang was rather metaphysic than Confucian. However, in terms of the theoretical system of metaphysics, he had achieved the excellence of so called communion.
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