Xu Ai
Encyclopedia
Xu Ai was an important Chinese
philosopher during the mid-late Ming Dynasty
. He was also a magistrate and writer
.
, Shaoxing Fu (紹興府/绍兴府; current Yuyao, Ningbo
), Zhejiang Province in 1487. His adult courtesy name was Yueren (曰仁), and pseudonym name was Hengshan (横山).
In the third year of Zhengde Era
(正德三年; 1508), Xu joined the imperial examination
and was qualified and matriculated as a governmental official. He was the mayor
of Qizhou (祁州; current Anguo
, Hebei Province). Later he was transferred to Nanjing
, the sub-capital of the Ming China. In Nanjing, he chronologically served in the Ministry of Military (兵部) as a Yuanwailang (員外郎/员外郎) and in Ministry of Construction (工部) as a Langzhong (郎中) there.
In the 11th year of Zhengde Era (1516), Xu went back to hometown for mothering; and in 1517 died of illness at the age of 31.
. He was considered as a royal, important member and the second generation of the Yangming School of Mind (陽明心學/阳明心学).
Wang Yangming proposed his thought of conscience
and intuitive knowledge
, but most people and Confucians during his time didn't accept it. Xu mainly contributed to the further expatiation and the consummation of Wang's philosophy in this domain, and also further developed Wang's school of philosophy.
Xu recorded most of Wang's words (from both his daily living and teaching) and works, collected and recensing them, also printed and published these philosophical monographies. So Xu also played an important role in publicizing the philosophy in a popular style.
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
philosopher during the mid-late Ming Dynasty
Ming Dynasty
The Ming Dynasty, also Empire of the Great Ming, was the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644, following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty. The Ming, "one of the greatest eras of orderly government and social stability in human history", was the last dynasty in China ruled by ethnic...
. He was also a magistrate and writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
.
Biography
Xu was born in Maoyan (Traditional/Simplified Chinese: 馬堰/马堰), YuyaoYuyao
Yuyao is a city in Zhejiang province, China, capital of Yuyao County, Ningbo. Administratively Yuyao is under the direct jurisdiction of Ningbo....
, Shaoxing Fu (紹興府/绍兴府; current Yuyao, Ningbo
Ningbo
Ningbo is a seaport city of northeastern Zhejiang province, Eastern China. Holding sub-provincial administrative status, the municipality has a population of 7,605,700 inhabitants at the 2010 census whom 3,089,180 in the built up area made of 6 urban districts. It lies south of the Hangzhou Bay,...
), Zhejiang Province in 1487. His adult courtesy name was Yueren (曰仁), and pseudonym name was Hengshan (横山).
In the third year of Zhengde Era
Zhengde Emperor
The Zhengde Emperor was emperor of China between 1505-1521. Born Zhu Houzhao, he was the Hongzhi Emperor's eldest son...
(正德三年; 1508), Xu joined the imperial examination
Imperial examination
The Imperial examination was an examination system in Imperial China designed to select the best administrative officials for the state's bureaucracy. This system had a huge influence on both society and culture in Imperial China and was directly responsible for the creation of a class of...
and was qualified and matriculated as a governmental official. He was the mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of Qizhou (祁州; current Anguo
Anguo
Anguo , nicknamed "Medicine Capital" , is a county-level city under the administration of and south of the city of Baoding, central Hebei Province, China.It has a provincially protected Temple of the God of Medicine established around 100....
, Hebei Province). Later he was transferred to Nanjing
Nanjing
' is the capital of Jiangsu province in China and has a prominent place in Chinese history and culture, having been the capital of China on several occasions...
, the sub-capital of the Ming China. In Nanjing, he chronologically served in the Ministry of Military (兵部) as a Yuanwailang (員外郎/员外郎) and in Ministry of Construction (工部) as a Langzhong (郎中) there.
In the 11th year of Zhengde Era (1516), Xu went back to hometown for mothering; and in 1517 died of illness at the age of 31.
Philosophy
Xu was one of the earliest student of the philosopher Wang YangmingWang Yangming
Wang Yangming was a Ming Chinese idealist Neo-Confucian philosopher, official, educationist, calligraphist and general. After Zhu Xi, he is commonly regarded as the most important Neo-Confucian thinker, with interpretations of Confucianism that denied the rationalist dualism of the orthodox...
. He was considered as a royal, important member and the second generation of the Yangming School of Mind (陽明心學/阳明心学).
Wang Yangming proposed his thought of conscience
Conscience
Conscience is an aptitude, faculty, intuition or judgment of the intellect that distinguishes right from wrong. Moral judgement may derive from values or norms...
and intuitive knowledge
Intuition (knowledge)
Intuition is the ability to acquire knowledge without inference or the use of reason. "The word 'intuition' comes from the Latin word 'intueri', which is often roughly translated as meaning 'to look inside'’ or 'to contemplate'." Intuition provides us with beliefs that we cannot necessarily justify...
, but most people and Confucians during his time didn't accept it. Xu mainly contributed to the further expatiation and the consummation of Wang's philosophy in this domain, and also further developed Wang's school of philosophy.
Xu recorded most of Wang's words (from both his daily living and teaching) and works, collected and recensing them, also printed and published these philosophical monographies. So Xu also played an important role in publicizing the philosophy in a popular style.