Abstract
The literary idea of the Yangming School is grounded in their concept of "conscience," which differs in part from Cheng-Zhu school. In terms of relationship between the literature and Confucian ideas, Yangming School's belief is that literary reation may not be necessarily in conflict with those idleas, which is against Chengzhu School's claim of "literalure does harm to Confucian ideas," and Yaming Schol's argument helps to relieve the intense relationship between literature and Cunfucianism. Inlerms of literariness, Yangming School advocates sincerity in expression instead of indulgence in the art of rhetoric. In terms of literary creation, it opposes the simulation of the stereotyped form in canonized works and promotes a simple way of writing from the heart. Finally, on the function of literature, it still emphasizes the practical value of literature such as conveying the Confucian ideas and promoting the conscience. While Yangming School's literary idea on the whole does not go beyond the limitations of neo-Confucianism, its emphasis on sincerity in expression and simple diction had direct impact on the late MingDynasty literary idea of "natural spirit".
First Page
201
Last Page
208
Recommended Citation
Xue, Qingtao. 2016. "On the Literary Ideas of the Yangming School." Theoretical Studies in Literature and Art 36, (3): pp.201-208. https://tsla.researchcommons.org/journal/vol36/iss3/12
