Abstract
The terminology tianxia has both historical evolution and cultural and philosophical connotations. This concept not only denotes a geographical and spatial meaning, but also implies the moral construct of metaphysics. A systematic study of its historical and cultural repercussions can show that the evolution of the meaning “tianxia” not only embodies the cosmological construction, moral belief and self-identity of the Chinese nation, but also manifests the historical processes of modern China evolving from “tianxia” to a modern nation-state. Meanwhile, the deconstruction of the tianxia cosmology has shattered the old Chinese concept of a single united tianxia, or the whole world under one Heaven. Also, “Confucian China” has been increasingly losing its vitality and strong hold on the people, while the concept of nation-state has gained its way into people’s consciousness, which has added more diversity and open-mindedness to the concept of tianxia.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ames, Roger T., The seeking harmony not sameness: comparative philosophy and east-west understanding, Beijing: Peking University Press, 2002
Cheng, Hao and Cheng Yi, Er Cheng ji (the collected works of brothers Cheng), Beijing: China Book Company, 2004
Cohen, A. Paul. Discovering history in China: American historical writing on the recent Chinese past, New York: Columbia University Press, 1984
Dong, Zhongshu, Chunqiu fanlu (the luxuriant gems of the spring and autumn annals), Shanghai: Shanghai Chinese Classics Publishing House, 1986
Fan, Shichong and Fan Nengrui, Fan Wenzhenggong wenji (the Collected Works of Fan Zhongyan), Hangzhou: Zhejiang Literature & Art Publishing House, 1998
Feng, Youlan, Zhongguo zhexue jianshi (the brief history of Chinese philosophy), Beijing: Peking University Press, 1985
Ge, Zhaoguang, Zhongguo sixiang shi (the history of Chinese ideologies), Vol.1, Shanghai: Fudan University Press, 2001a
Ge, Zhaoguang, Zhongguo sixiang shi (the history of Chinese ideologies), Vol.2, Shanghai: Fudan University Press, 2001b
Graham, A.C. Lun Dao zhe: zhongguo gudau zhexue lunbian (disputers of the Tao: philosophical argument in ancient China), trans. Zhang Haiyan, Beijing: China Social Sciences Publishing House, 2003
Gu, Yanwu, Ri zhi lu (the records of daily progressive knowledge), Changsha: Yuelu Book Press, 1994
Guo, Moruo, Zhongguo gudai shehui yanjiu (the study of Chinese ancient society), Shijiazhuang: Hebei Education Press, 2002
Guo, Qiyong, Guo Qiyong zixuanji (the selected works of Guo Qiyong), Guilin: Guangxi Normal University Press, 1999
Guo, Qiyong, Rujia renwen jingshen de tese yu jiazhi (the features and value of Confucian humanism), Yangtze Daily, 2002
Hall, David, L. and Roger T. Ames, Thinking from the Han: self, truth, and transcendence in Chinese and Western culture, Albany: State University of New York Press, 1998
Jiao, Xun, Mencius zhengyi (the correct meaning of Mencius), Beijing: China Book Company, 1996
Levenson, R. Joseph, Confucian China and its modern fate: the problem of intellectual continuity, Berkeley and Los Angeles: University of California Press, 1958
Li, Zehou, Huaxia meixue (the Chinese aesthetics), Tianjin: Tianjin Social Sciences Press, 2001
Liu, Baonan, Lunyu zhengyi (the correct meaning of analects of Confucius), Beijing: China Book Company, 1996
Liu, Yizheng, Zhongguo wenhua shi (the history of Chinese culture), Shanghai: Shanghai Chinese Classics Publishing House, 2001
Ren, Jiyu, Zhang Dainian, Feng Qi and Tang Yijie, Zhongguo zhexue shi tonglan (a general view of history of Chinese philosophy), Shanghai: Orient Publishing Center, 1994
Yuan, Ren, Chunqiu Sanzhuan (Spring and autumn annals and Zuo’s commentary), Beijing: Zhongguo Shudian, 1994.
Qin Ying, Qin Sui, (proofread and annotated) Zhouyi, Changsha: Hunan Publishing House, 1995
Wang, Bi, Laozi zhu (commentaries of Laozi), Beijing: China Book Company, 1996
Wang, Xianshen, Hanfeizi jijie (the collected commentaries of Hanfeizi), Beijing: China Book Company, 1996
Wang, Xianqian, Zhuangzi Jijie (the collected commentaries of Zhuangzi), Beijing: China Book Company, 1996
Yu, Yingshi, Shi yu Zhongguo wenhua (the worthy scholars and Chinese culture), Shanghai: Shanghai People’s publishing House, 2003
Yuan, Ren, Chunqiu sanzhuan (the three editions of spring and autumn annals), Beijing: China Book Company, 1994
Zou, Zhenhuan, Yingxiang Zhongguo gudai shehui de yibai zhong yizuo (the one hundred translated works influencing China), Beijing: China Translation & Publishing Corporation, 1996
Zhao, Licheng, Zhongguo wenhua jingdian cangshu ruxue shisanjing (the thirteen classics of Confucianism), Haerbin: Northern Literature and Art Press, 1997
Zhang, Guangzhi, Zhongguo qingtong shidai (bronze era of China), Beijing: Sanlian Publishing Company, 1999
Zhu, Bin, Liji xunzuan (the compiled commentaries of Liji), Beijing: China Book Company, 1998
Zhu, Xi, Sishu zhangju jizhu (the collected commentaries of four books), Beijing: China Book Company, 1983
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
__________
Translated from Wenshizhe 文史哲 (Literature, History and Philosophy), 2004 (6) by Huang Deyuan
About this article
Cite this article
Liu, J. The evolution of tianxia cosmology and its philosophical implications. Front. Philos. China 1, 517–538 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11466-006-0023-6
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11466-006-0023-6