This book investigates the different meanings and logics that the notion of qi/gi has acquired within the East Asian traditions in order to understand the diversity of these traditions. More specifically, this work focuses on investigating how the notion was understood by traditional Chinese and Korean philosophers.

In a comprehensive survey of contemporary scholarship on Zhang Zai's (1020-1077) development of the notion qi ( 'vital energy') in the context of his critique of the Buddhist, I observe that there is a prevalent imposition of a Western concept, namely, 'substance monism', on his understanding of qi . It is assumed that he posits that 'the myriad things ( wanwu )' and 'the vast emptiness ( taixu )' are simultaneously differentiated and unified in that they are but different manifestations (...) of an undifferentiated singular entity, that is, qi . I argue that such understanding distorts the 'logic' of Zhang Zai's qi that accounts for the simultaneous differentiation and the unity of 'the myriad things' and 'the vast emptiness' in terms of relationally opposed polarities and the dynamic unity amongst them. I also argue that this understanding distorts his practical message that emphasizes the endeavor to create coherence among our differences without recourse to a realm of 'oneness' that transcends our differences. (shrink)

The well-field system of land division was advocated by the classical Confucian Mencius and also by the Neo-Confucian Zhang Zai 張載 , both of whom, I argue, were philosophers of qi 氣 . In this system, land is divided into the shape of the Chinese character jing 井 . The outer eight parts would be private and cultivated by eight families, respectively, and the center part would be communal and fostered together in order to pay taxes.1 I argue that the (...) function of the well-field system is consistent with the role of ritual propriety in Zhang Zai’s philosophy of qi, which emphasizes the realization of “great harmony” , which is a state of vital .. (shrink)

Qi is one of the most important concepts in Chinese philosophy and culture, and neo-Confucian Zhang Zai plays a pivotal role in developing the notion. This book provides a thorough and proper understanding of his thoughts.