Ontological Theory Based on Practical Wisdom——An Exploration of the Gains and Losses of Mou Zongsan's “Metaphysics of Morality” Construction

Abstract

Mou Zongsan constructed a philosophical ontology of “moral metaphysics” based on the unique practical wisdom of Confucianism. His argument for the “Moral metaphysics” not only includes the “ontological argument” in his later philosophical system, but also includes the “philosophical history argument” that reinterpreted Confucian discourse in the middle of Mou's thought. Mou emphasizes the “Cosmological approach” in “Zhongyong” and “Yizhuan” and takes it as a successful development of the “Moral approach”in “The Analects of Confucius” and “Mencius”, in order to continue the Confucian tradition of “ontology insight based on practical evidence”. However, the ontology of “Moral metaphysics” ultimately inherited the practical ontology concept of Confucianism, but failed to complete the modern transformation of the practical ontology approach corresponding to this practical ontology, resulting in a fundamental tension between the practical ontology concept of “Moral metaphysics” and its speculative ontology approach.