This paper presents a new interpretation of the Song dynasty philosopher Zhu Xi's metaphysics through the lens of axiarchism. We suggest that li, a central concept in Zhu's philosophy, should be understood as an axiarchic principle that metaphysically explains both why the world exists and why it has a generative, life-sustaining structure. By developing a unified account of li, we aim to bridge the long-standing divide between readings that emphasize its role in explaining existence and those t…
Read moreThis paper presents a new interpretation of the Song dynasty philosopher Zhu Xi's metaphysics through the lens of axiarchism. We suggest that li, a central concept in Zhu's philosophy, should be understood as an axiarchic principle that metaphysically explains both why the world exists and why it has a generative, life-sustaining structure. By developing a unified account of li, we aim to bridge the long-standing divide between readings that emphasize its role in explaining existence and those that stress its structural function. At the end of the paper, we indicate how this interpretation opens up a novel foundation for understanding Zhu's practical philosophy and contributes insights to contemporary philosophy of religion.
