Li Zhi

Li Zhi (1527–1602), pseudonym Zhuowu, was a Chinese philosopher, historian, and writer of the late Ming dynasty. He was a prominent critic of the orthodox Neo-Confucianism promoted by Zhu Xi, leading to his persecution and eventual suicide in prison. Li Zhi is best known for his concept of the "childlike heart-mind" (tong xin), which emphasizes spontaneity, genuineness, and authentic feelings, rejecting external doctrines and societal norms that obscure this innate state. He believed this "childlike heart-mind" was the source of true knowledge and expression, and he applied this concept to various aspects of life, including ethics and literature. In ethics, he advocated for situational judgment based on this innate knowing rather than rigid rules. In literature, he praised fiction that originated from the "childlike heart-mind." Li Zhi also challenged prevailing gender inequalities, arguing that women possessed the same intellectual and spiritual capacities as men and should have equal opportunities for self-cultivation. He critiqued the hierarchical cosmology of Confucianism, proposing a more cooperative and binary view of complementary forces like yin and yang, and advocating for more egalitarian relationships between husbands and wives. His major works include "A Book to Burn" and "A Book to Keep (Hidden)."