Abstract:
As a prominent disciple of WANG Yangming, the academic contributions of XUE Kan to WANG Yangming's Heart-Mind Theory have received relatively little attention. This paper, based on an examination and analysis of relevant literature on XUE Kan, argues that XUE Kan has made his unique contributions to Yangming's Heart-Mind Theory. Firstly, this is evident in his inheritance of the fundamental concepts of WANG Yangming's Heart-Mind Theory, such as the notion of liangzhi (innate knowledge) as an innate judgment and the foundational arguments for the philosophical view of wanwuyiti (all in one). Secondly, it is manifested in his differentiation and clarification of some of WANG Yangming's core concepts, such as "the qualifications of liangzhi as the master, " the two forms of zhixingheyi (the unity of knowledge and action), and the concerns and philosophical realm of wanwuyiti. Thirdly, his contributions are reflected in the creative development and consolidation of the content of Yangming's Heart-Mind Theory, such as emphasizing the ideological aspect of zhi (extending) in zhiliangzhi (extending innate knowledge), providing ontological arguments for zhixingheyi, and defining jianzai (present conscience) as the unity of ontology and cultivation. Fourthly, his contributions are manifested in the integration of the four fundamental concepts of WANG Yangming's Heart-Mind Theory, using jianzai as a pivot to interconnect xinjili (mind is reason), zhixingheyi, zhiliangzhi and wanwuyiti. He succinctly expounded their complex and organic relationships, positing that xin (the mind) or liangzhi is the foundation of wanwuyiti, which in turn underlies xinjili, zhiliangzhi, and zhixingheyi. Achieving xinjili, zhiliangzhi, and zhixingheyi thus realizes wanwuyiti, thereby presenting WANG Yangming's Heart-Mind Theory in a more profound and vivid manner. Thus, it is evident that XUE Kan's academic contributions to WANG Yangming's Heart-Mind Theory are indeed worthy of recognition.