What does "metaphysical" mean?

The meaning of "metaphysical": it is an important category in ancient Chinese philosophy. In Confucian philosophy, it refers to intangible or unformed things, which is symmetrical with "metaphysical" which means tangible or formed things.

Metaphysics comes from the original text of "The Book of Changes·Xici": "The metaphysical is called the Tao, and the metaphysical is called the implement."

Interpretation: Going up refers to the void and spiritual, while going down refers to the concrete and material.

It is used to explain the relationship between "Tao" (metaphysical) and "vessel" (metaphysical), that is, the relationship between origin, ontology, implements, and phenomena.

The "metaphysical" is called "Tao", and the "metaphysical" is called "tool".

The "form" below is called "vessel", the "vessel" is on the "ground", and the "vessel" above is "Tao". Therefore, the so-called "metaphysical" specifically means "Tao".

Extended information: Confucian metaphysics: "Yi Zhuan" and "The Doctrine of the Mean" represent the final stage of the development of Confucian metaphysics in the pre-Qin Dynasty.

The most important metaphysical concept in "Yi Zhuan" is the concept of "Tao", and the same is true for Taoism.

However, the Tao of "Yi Chuan" is completely different from the Taoist Tao.

The Taoist Tao is nameless and unnameable.

The Tao of "Yi Chuan" is not only nameable, but strictly speaking, it is the Tao, and only the Tao can be named.

"The Doctrine of the Mean" says: "The destiny of heaven is called nature, the will of nature is called Tao, and the practice of Tao is called teaching. It is also the Tao. It cannot be separated for a moment; it can be separated, but it is not the Tao." Interpretation: The essential characteristics given to humans by God are called nature (

Nature), following one's nature to conduct one's life and doing things is called Tao. The teaching of a saint is to follow one's nature to correct the difference between past and present, so that everything can be in line with the right way. This is called enlightenment.

This righteous path cannot be left for a moment. If you can leave it, it is not the righteous path.

?This is the Confucian method, which raises the human spirit to the realm of coexistence with heaven.