| Abstract |
The “Against the Twelve Masters” in Xunzi is a kind of Confucianism ideology, it critical others intensely in Confucianism orthodox, thereby imbuing Xunzi’s character with a radical and critical disposition. Nonetheless, amidst this explicit Confucian consciousness and exclusivity, Xunzi’s philosophical framework also harbors an integrative facet. This denotes its incorporation of diverse philosophical schools from the Warring States period, culminating in the establishment of a comprehensive system boasting a pluralistic epistemology, thus resulting in a dialectic where Xunzi is simultaneously both exclusive and inclusive. To elucidate this matter, it is imperative to discern that while the critique of the “other” constitutes a pivotal component of Xunzi’s discourse, not all of his critiques should be construed as animosity towards, or dissolution of, Confucian counterparts. In other words, the contemplation of alterity in Xunzi predominantly converges in the treatises “Against the Twelve Masters” and “Undoing Fixation”. Nevertheless, these two should be perceived as interrelated yet theoretically distinct frameworks, rather than being interpreted within the same dimension. In essence, “Against the Twelve Masters” is rooted in the irreconcilability of the “Dao” as an ideological construct, endeavoring to formulate its own critical framework by negating the “other”. Conversely, “Undoing Fixation” builds upon the Confucian demarcations established by “Against the Twelve Masters”, concentrating on the malleability of the “Art” as a method. Its aim is to delineate the constraints of Confucian counterparts by spotlighting the convertibility of methods, in an endeavor to effectuate an inclusive amalgamation. Consequently, even though Xunzi’s doctrines may encompass the assimilation of Confucian counterparts such as Legalism, Daoism, Huang-Lao, and the School of Names, it does not entail a departure from the Confucian paradigm. This is because its absorption and transformation of counterparts through the methodology of “Undoing Fixation” is contingent upon the Confucian delineations established by “Against the Twelve Masters”. |
