The Philosopher

Tang Junyi

The face

The background

Nationality:
Chinese

The synopsis

Tang Chun-I (17 January 1909 – 2 February 1978) was a Chinese philosopher and one of the leading exponents of New Confucianism. Born in Sichuan, he moved to Hong Kong in 1949 following the establishment of the People's Republic of China. There, he co-founded New Asia College with the dual objective of modernizing China while upholding its traditional values. Tang's philosophy emphasized the concept of harmony between individuals and the universe, distinguishing his viewpoint from dualistic perspectives. He championed the notion of a moral metaphysical reality and explored the alignment of the ethical self with truth. His work in this area culminated in the formulation of the Nine Horizons, a framework encompassing various aspects of human understanding. Tang's lasting influence on East Asian philosophy is attributed to his efforts to blend traditional Confucian principles with Western philosophical ideas, notably those of Plato and Hegel. Despite his death in 1978, his ideas continue to shape discussions concerning ethics, metaphysics, and the intricate relationship between individual existence and the broader universe.

The works