Neo-Confucian Political Philosophy in the Song Dynasty: A Perspective from Wang Anshi's Reforms
Abstract
This article takes Wang Anshi's reform as its analytical point of entry and examines how Northern Song Neo-Confucian thinkers—represented by Cheng Hao and Cheng Yi—constructed a metaphysical foundation of tianli (Heavenly Principle) and, from an ontological perspective, subsumed the pre-Qin Confucian moral psychology of ren (humaneness), yi (righteousness), li (propriety) , zhi (wisdom) and xin (trustworthiness) under a unified cosmic principle. By grounding political legitimacy in tianli, Northern Song scholar-officials reconceptualized themselves as inheritors and transmitters of Confucian orthodoxy, thereby occupying a morally authoritative position independent of imperial power. As bearers of Confucian orthodoxy, they were able to articulate a relatively autonomous moral and normative standpoint beyond the authority of the throne and to participate in politics through remonstrance, consultation, and criticism, thus contributing to the Northern Song ideal of "co-governing the state with scholar-officials."
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