Neo-Confucian doctrine of properties of things -- Neo-Confucian doctrine of spiritual beings -- Neo-Confucian doctrine of investigating principles -- Neo-Confucian doctrine of all things forming one -- Neo-Confucian doctrine of fraternal duty -- Neo-Confucian doctrine of imperial examination -- Appendix: reflection on Things of hand: a quasi classical of Neo-Confucianism.

Zuphu Xi (1130–1200) was one of the most influential philosophers in the history of Chinese philosophy. From the beginning of the fourteenth century until 1905, when the examination system was abolished, his and Cupheng Yi’s interpretations of the Confucian Classics were regarded as orthodox and served as the basis of civil service examinations and intellectual standards for the Chinese literati. His influence was not limited to China, as his thoughts became orthodoxy in Korea and in some important schools of thought (...) in Japan (see Chan). Because of his great contribution to culture, Zuphu Xi has been honored as Zhuzi or Zuphu Fuzi. This paper will review contemporary Chinese studies of Zhuzi, particularly of his philosophy, that have been conducted in mainland China since 1980. (shrink)