The Struggle of Li Chih in Opposition to the Study of the Classics with a Rational Approach and in Rebelling Against the "Teachings of the Sages"

Abstract

After the Han dynasty "banned diverse schools of thought and honored solely the Confucian school of thought," the reactionary rulers of all ages without exception lauded Confucius as the "sage." By the time of the Sung and Ming dynasties, such reactionary philosophers as Ch'eng Ching, Ch'eng I, Chu Hsi, and Wang Yang-ming created a new branch of Confucian learning — the study of the classics with a rational approach — for upholding orderly rule in the latter stage of feudal society. Therefore, Confucius was actually looked upon as the "God" in the world of mortals, and "the people were compelled to venerate as religious dogma" the Confucian doctrines ("Oppose Stereotyped Party Writing"). From then on, those who dared to dispute the ways of Confucius and Mencius would be charged with "rebelling against orthodox teachings" which might lead to capital punishment and even to the wiping out of the entire clan.