Self-culture in the Electronic Age: the Perspective of Zhu Xi's Gewu Zhizhi

Title

Self-culture in the Electronic Age: the Perspective of Zhu Xi's Gewu Zhizhi

Author

Kirill O. Thompson

Page

109-124

DOI

Abstract

　　This article examines the conduct of self-learning and cultivation in the electronic age from the perspective of Zhu Xi's concept of "Gewu Zhizhi".
　　On the surface, our computers, internet and electronic media certainly facilitate learning. They provide instant communication, access to data banks, and text manipulation. They even provide chat rooms and online games for people to express themselves freely and to explore other aspects of self. On a deeper level, however, people do not read and absorb information with the same degree of concentration and depth as before. Learning is becoming increasingly streamlined, sporadic andsuperficial.
　　From Zhu Xi's perspective, the problem is even more serious. For him, self learning and cultivation should be conducted in light of real life. Even the student's relationship with the teacher itself involves role modeling, understanding upright human relationships and practicing appropriate conduct. In Zhu Xi's "gewu zhizhi", one carefully observes phenomena (or reads texts), thinks about their significance and practical implications, and then incorporates this new knowledge into life practice. In this sense, "學者須是務實." By this standard, nowadays people's learning through electronic media lacks the concentration, depth and practical implications of genuine learning.
　　In conclusion, although our computers, internet and electronic media facilitate learning by providing instant communication, access to information, etc., Zhu Xi would argue—and most humanities scholars would agree—that people should use these gifts sparingly and carefully in support of their overall project of self learning and cultivation in the context of real life.

Keyword

electronic age, Zhu Xi, Gewu Zhizhi, six arts, Reverence, Patterns, Perspicacity, penetrating comprehension, MUD (multi-user domain), Chatroom

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