Dong Xiuyuan: Maimonides and Zhu Xi on the Role of Classical Norms in the Pursuit of Human Perfection, Journal of Chinese Philosophy, Volume 45, Issue 3-4, 19 June 2019.

Abstract

Confronted with the cultural and political crises of the 12th century, Maimonides and Zhu Xi both focused on classical norms, restoring the systems, respectively, of the Law and the Propriety to reconstruct an ideal order of social and individual life. Both thinkers treat classical norms as an irreplaceable path to the fulfillment of human nature, and their codifications of the systems mentioned share a set of intellectualistic motifs and features. Comparing the approaches of Maimonides and Zhu Xi to classical norms, we reach an understanding of the convergence and divergence of these two great philosophers of the High Middle Ages within their own historical contexts.