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List of Chinese philosophers

This article is a list of Chinese philosophers.

The Three Ancient philosophers

Confucianism

  • Confucius, arguably the most influential Chinese philosopher ever.
  • Dong Zhongshu, integrated Yin Yang cosmology into a Confucian ethical framework.
  • Gaozi
  • Mencius, idealist who proposed mankind is innately benevolent.
  • Wang Fu, endorsed the Confucian model of government.
  • Wang Mang, emperor who sought to create a harmonious society, yet chaos resulted.
  • Xunzi, broke from Mencius' view, instead arguing that morality is extrinsic.
  • Yan Hui,the favorite disciple of Confucius and one of the most revered figures of Confucianism.
  • Zengzi
  • Zheng Xuan
  • Zisi
  • Zhu Xi
  • List of Confucianists

Taoism

Chinese School of Naturalists and Naturalism

  • Zou Yan, combined the theories of Yin-Yang and The Five Elements.

Mohism

Legalism

Yangism

The Logicians

The Agrarians

  • Xu Xing

School of Diplomacy

  • Guiguzi
  • Su Qin
  • Zhang Yi
  • Yue Yi
  • Li Yiji

School of Military

Imperial era philosophers

Xuanxue

Zen

  • Huineng, 6th Buddhist patriarch of the Chan (Zen) School in China, he established the concept of "no mind".
  • Linji Yixuan (Lin-chi), founder of the Linji school of Chan (Zen) Buddhism in China, a branch of which is the Rinzai school in Japan.
  • Zhaozhou, famous chan (Zen) master during the 8th century, noted for his wisdom. Became known for his subtle teaching methods and his use of gongans.
  • Jizang
  • Sengzhao
  • Yi Xing
  • Zhi Dun
  • Xuanzang
  • Huiyuan

Neo-Confucianism

  • Zhou Dunyi, argued for the inseparability of metaphysics and ethics.
    • Cheng Yi, made enemies with other philosophers, resulting in his works being banned.
    • Cheng Hao, brother to Cheng Yi.
    • Zhu Xi (Chu Hsi), rationalist and leading figure of the School of Principle.
      • Chen Hongmou, argued for racial and sexual equality in the place of education.
      • Wang Fuzhi, believed Confucius' teachings had become distorted, so wrote his own commentaires.
      • Wang Yangming, idealist and leading figure of the School of Mind.
        • Li Zhi, preached a form of moral relativism.
        • Qian Dehong, further developed The Yangming School of Mind.
        • Xu Ai, ardent follower of Wang Yangming.
        • Huang Zongxi, one of the first Neo-Confucians to stress the need for constitutional law.
        • Zhan Ruoshui, lifelong friend to Wang Yangming.
  • Han Yu, precursor to Neo-Confucianism, essayist, and poet.
  • Lu Jiuyuan, saw moral conduct as a consequence of intuitive insights into the essence of reality.
  • Shao Yong, considered one of the most scholarly men of the time.
  • Su Shi, accomplished Song Dynasty writer.
  • Ye Shi, stressed practical learning and applying Confucian doctrine to real world problems.
  • Zhang Zai, everything is composed of qi, and that fact explains everything.
  • Lai Zhide, created the Taijitu.
  • Li Ao
  • Liu Zongzhou – considered the last master of Song-Ming Neo-Confucianism.

Islamic-Confucianism

Kaozheng Evidential Research

Philosophers that cannot be easily categorised

Modern philosophers

Chinese Marxist Philosophy

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