Please wait a minute...
Frontiers of Philosophy in China

ISSN 1673-3436

ISSN 1673-355X(Online)

CN 11-5743/B

Postal Subscription Code 80-983

Front Phil Chin    2008, Vol. 3 Issue (4) : 502-519    https://doi.org/10.1007/s11466-008-0032-8
research-article
A study on the theory of “returning to the original” and “recovering nature” in Chinese philosophy
XIANG Shiling
School of Philosophy; School of Classics, Renmin University of China, Beijing 100872, China
 Download: PDF(257 KB)   HTML
 Export: BibTeX | EndNote | Reference Manager | ProCite | RefWorks
Abstract

The approach of returning to the original and recovering nature is a typical characteristic of Chinese philosophy. It was founded by the Daoist School and followed by both Daoist and Confucian schools. The precondition of returning to the original and recovering nature is the stillness and goodness within nature integrated into a whole afterwards. Its implementation includes not only returning to the original root so as to achieve the philosophical aim but also restoration to the original nature after it is injured by man’s physical nature and desire. The realization of human nature depends on the work making up for the loss of the original nature. Although there are different methods of realization concerning the return to the original nature, such as returning to the root, seeking the lost mind, extinguishing desire, being good at return, and the self-consciousness of intuitive knowledge, all of these aim at returning to the original nature of stillness and purity. The philosophical value consists in the unceasing pursuit of returning to the original nature.

Keywords Chinese philosophy      returning to the original and recovering nature      seeking the lost mind     
Corresponding Author(s): XIANG Shiling,Email:shilingxiang@hotmail.com   
Issue Date: 05 December 2008
 Cite this article:   
XIANG Shiling. A study on the theory of “returning to the original” and “recovering nature” in Chinese philosophy[J]. Front Phil Chin, 2008, 3(4): 502-519.
 URL:  
https://academic.hep.com.cn/fpc/EN/10.1007/s11466-008-0032-8
https://academic.hep.com.cn/fpc/EN/Y2008/V3/I4/502
[1] Sarah Craddock, John Preston. Roles and Representations of Women in Early Chinese Philosophy: A Survey[J]. Front. Philos. China, 2020, 15(2): 198-222.
[2] WU Xiangdong. Chinese Philosophy of Value over the Past Four Decades[J]. Front. Philos. China, 2018, 13(4): 651-661.
[3] LI Cunshan. Forty Years’ Study of Chinese Philosophy[J]. Front. Philos. China, 2018, 13(4): 634-650.
[4] JIANG Yi. Chinese Philosophy in the New Era from the Perspective of the Theme of the 24th World Congress of Philosophy[J]. Front. Philos. China, 2018, 13(2): 182-193.
[5] PENG Guoxiang. Contemporary Chinese Philosophy in the Chinese-Speaking World: An Overview[J]. Front. Philos. China, 2018, 13(1): 91-119.
[6] Ady Van Den Stock. The Semantics of Wisdom in the Philosophy of Tang Junyi: Between Transformative Knowledge and Transcendental Reflexivity[J]. Front. Philos. China, 2018, 13(1): 39-54.
[7] GUO Yi. Research Findings Concerning Excavated Texts and Learning in Early China[J]. Front. Philos. China, 2016, 11(2): 168-184.
[8] Russell Pryba. Ars Erotica and Ars Gastronomica in Shusterman’s Somaesthetics[J]. Front. Philos. China, 2015, 10(2): 192-200.
[9] Ralph Weber. Why Talk about Chinese Metaphysics?[J]. Front Phil Chin, 2013, 8(1): 99-119.
[10] YU Zhiping, . The evolution and formation of indigenous narration in Chinese philosophy[J]. Front. Philos. China, 2009, 4(4): 511-523.
[11] XU Jianping. A transition of Chinese humanism and aesthetics from rationalism to irrationalism —With a focus on the debate between Li Zhi and Geng Dingxiang during the Ming Dynasty[J]. Front. Philos. China, 2008, 3(2): 229-253.
[12] LI Cunshan. A differentiation of the meaning of “qi” on several levels[J]. Front. Philos. China, 2008, 3(2): 194-212.
[13] CAO Feng. A return to intellectual history: A new approach to pre-Qin discourse on name[J]. Front. Philos. China, 2008, 3(2): 213-228.
[14] SONG Zhiming. Achievements, predicaments and trend of Moral Confucianism[J]. Front. Philos. China, 2007, 2(4): 503-516.
[15] CUI Dahua. A weakness in Confucianism: Private and public moralities[J]. Front. Philos. China, 2007, 2(4): 517-532.
Viewed
Full text


Abstract

Cited

  Shared   
  Discussed