Divisions within Song Confucianism Focusing on ZHU Xi and LU Jiuyuan——Examining the Catalogue of the Imperial Collection of Four's Critique from a Confucian Perspective

The view of the Catalogue of the Imperial Collection of Four (the Catalogue) on the characteristics of Neo-Confucianism during the Song Dynasty can be summarized by one key term: division. The first dimension refers to the separation between traditional Confucian texts and Neo-Confucian Daoxue(道学), while the second is the division between the interpretations of Confucian thought by ZHU Xi and LU Jiuyuan. Based on these divisions, the Catalogue expresses a preference for traditional Confucianism over Daoxue(道学), and for ZHU over LU. It is important to clarify that the basis of this partiality lies in the Catalogue's preference for Shixue (real learning) over Xuanxue (verbal learning or the study of empty words). This stance reveals that, as the academic embodiment of Qing Dynasty's Guanxue (official learning), the Catalogue fully recognizes the significant transformations in Confucian thought during the Song period. It provides a comprehensive yet succinct interpretation of these changes, which stands as one of its key contributions. However, the Catalogue does not view these changes as intellectual progress. Instead, it critiques the Song discourses as disruptive to the history of thought, undermining traditional learning and challenging established orthodoxies.