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Study on Yang Zhu’s Origin and his Lifetime

LIU ZHEN 1

1중앙대학교

Accredited

ABSTRACT

Among the pre-Qin philosophers, Yang Zhu is a very important figure, but there are no books written by him handed down. With regard to Yang Zhu, the records of historical materials are extremely limited, hence there are many problems and controversies in the previous studies. The most basic controversy is about Yang Zhu and the question of Yang Zhu’s origin and lifetime. By investigating ancient records and combining previous studies, the author of this paper believes Yang Zhu’s surname is Yang, or original Yang, and his name is Zhu, styled as Zijü. People respectfully called him as Yangzi or Yangzi, and also used to call him as Yangshi. He is original from Lu during the Warring States period. Yang Zhu has a wife and a concubine, and his house has a three-acres-wide garden. He also has a younger brother, named Yang Bu. Yang Zhu is a disciple of Lao Dan. He once asked Lao Dan about “the ruling of a wise king”. He accepted the lessons of Lao Dan in “southern of Pei”, afterwards immediately repented. Yang Zhu, Ji Liang and Sui Wu were used to be friends. He once entrusted by Ji Liang to persuade Ji Liang’s son with things. He also participated in Ji Liang and Sui Wu’s funeral after their death. Yang Zhu once visited the King of Liang, and also discussed the relationship between “modality and content” in Lu with Mengshi. Yang Zhu had had an intersection with Qinzi, but did not discuss any issues in depth. When Yang Zhu went to the Song, directing to the comments of the people in a gasthaus, he educated his disciples that “behave properly but abandon the behaviors that you think complacent of”. His disciples should be Meng Sunyang and others.

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