关键词: 中, 中庸, 时中, 理学, 心学

Abstract: As one of the core concepts in Confucianism, Zhong doesn't only reflect the political pursuits and ethic ideals, but also signifies the dimension of philosophy in Confucianism. As a requirement and constraint to the monarchy, it embodies the significance of politics; as the personality ideal pursued by Confucian scholars, it belongs to a moral realm; it also has the philosophical ontological meaning when considered as the “source” and “dao”, which “creates a harmonious order prevailing throughout heaven and earth, and makes all things nourished and flourish.” However, its meaning is flexible under specific historical circumstances. Generally speaking, the concept Zhong embodied the significance of politics, and reflected the ethical and philosophical ontological interpretation during the time of Zi-Xue(Scholars' School) in Pre-Qin Era. In the circumstance of Jing-Xue(Classics School) in Two Han Dynasties, it focused on political regulations, and evolved to an ethical concept in Song and Ming Dynasties. In the horizon of HE Xinyin in Late Ming Dynasty, Zhong returned to a political discourse directly pointing towards the monarchy. The evolution of the interpretation on Zhong is closely linked to the relationship between the Confucian scholars and the monarchy along with their self-recognition.

Key words: Zhong, Zhong Yong, Shi Zhong, Li-Xue (Neo-Confucianism), Xin-Xue (Philosophy of Mind)