Zhang Shi (1133–1181), also known by numerous courtesy names and various romanizations, was a scholar during the

Song Dynasty The Song dynasty ( ) was an Dynasties of China, imperial dynasty of China that ruled from 960 to 1279. The dynasty was founded by Emperor Taizu of Song, who usurped the throne of the Later Zhou dynasty and went on to conquer the rest of the Fiv ...

in China and key figure in

Neo-Confucianism Neo-Confucianism (, often shortened to ''lǐxué'' 理學, literally "School of Principle") is a moral, ethical, and metaphysical Chinese philosophy influenced by Confucianism, which originated with Han Yu (768–824) and Li Ao (772–841) i ...

Biography

He was a native of Mianzhu (),

Sichuan Sichuan is a province in Southwestern China, occupying the Sichuan Basin and Tibetan Plateau—between the Jinsha River to the west, the Daba Mountains to the north, and the Yunnan–Guizhou Plateau to the south. Its capital city is Cheng ...

, and the son of a distinguished general and statesman named Zhang Jun (1097–1164), who held the title of Duke of Yi (). After studying under Hu Hong, son of Hu Anguo, Zhang Shi commenced an official career and became aide-de-camp and secretary to his father. He held various posts, including prefect of Yanzhou, Yuanzhou, Jingjiang, and Jiangling, eventually becoming senior compiler in the Youwen Hall (右文殿). In 1164 his father died, and Zhang Shi buried him according to his wish at the foot of Mount Heng in Hunan, remaining in seclusion near the grave for several years. While there he was visited in 1167 by

Zhu Xi Zhu Xi ( zh, c=朱熹; ; October 18, 1130April 23, 1200), formerly romanized Chu Hsi, was a Chinese philosopher, historian, politician, poet, and calligrapher of the Southern Song dynasty. As a leading figure in the development of Neo-Confuci ...

, and it is said that they spent three days and three nights arguing about the ''

Doctrine of the Mean The ''Doctrine of the Mean'' or ''Zhongyong'' is one of the Four Books of classical Chinese philosophy and a central doctrine of Confucianism. The text is attributed to Zisi (Kong Ji), the only grandson of Confucius (Kong Zi). It was origina ...

''. The result was that Zhang returned to official life, and became a strong opponent of the

Jurchen Jin Jurchen may refer to: * Jurchen people, Tungusic people who inhabited the region of Manchuria until the 17th century ** Haixi Jurchens, a grouping of the Jurchens as identified by the Chinese of the Ming Dynasty ** Jianzhou Jurchens, a grouping of ...

and of the policy of conciliation and concession which had been introduced by Qin Gui. He was alternately promoted and demoted until he died while governor of Zhingzhou in Hubei. He was the author of many treatises and commentaries covering portions of the Confucian Canon, in which he gave expression to doctrines which his friend, Zhu Xi, felt himself called upon to refute. Nevertheless, Zhu Xi held Zhang Shi in high esteem and always spoke of him with admiration. Admitted to the honors at China's

Confucian temple A temple of Confucius or Confucian temple is a temple for the veneration of Confucius and the sages and philosophers of Confucianism in Chinese folk religion and other East Asian religions. They were formerly the site of the administration of ...

s in 1261, he was granted the

posthumous name A posthumous name is an honorary Personal name, name given mainly to revered dead people in East Asian cultural sphere, East Asian culture. It is predominantly used in Asian countries such as China, Korea, Vietnam, Japan, Malaysia and Thailand. ...

Wenxuangong.

Philosophy

Zhang once argued with

about the nature of human goodness, stating some people had not fully shown their kind nature while others had. To perfect one's character, he believed one must study and nurture it within. Zhang also sought to unite ancient Confucian ideas of righteousness and profit, and the Neo-Confucian views of heavenly principles and human desires, suggesting they are part of the same worldview.

Works

Here are some of Zhang Shi's significant writings: *Lunyu jie (論語解) *Mengzi shuo (孟子說) *Yishuo (易說) *Nanxuan wenji (南軒文集), collected writings

References

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Zhang, Shi 1133 births 1181 deaths Chinese Confucianists 12th-century Chinese philosophers