Social Sciences in China (Chinese Edition)

No. 5, 2024

The “One Source, Two Streams” Theory: A Reevaluation of the Development Lineage of Confucianism Based on the Trichotomy Method

(Abstract)

Yang Zebo

The trichotomy of Confucianism, a method originating from the analysis of Confucius’ thought structure, divides the elements related to the attainment virtue and goodness into three parts: intellectuality, desirability, and benevolence. This method breaks free from the constraints of the Western dichotomy of rationality and sensibility. In terms of moral practice, from the perspective of trichotomy, the phenomenon of “one source, two streams” exists within the development of Confucianism. “One source” refers to Confucius, whose thought is characterized by the trichotomous structure of intellect, desire and benevolence. “Two streams” refers to the stream of benevolence and the stream of intellect derived from this “one source,” the former represented by Mencius and subsequently by the philosophy of mind, the latter represented by Xunzi and subsequently by the philosophy of principle. Both streams boast contributions and admit shortcomings. The establishment of the trichotomy method not only facilitates the integration of the two streams, constructing a theoretical model in which both benevolence and intellectuality, and ethics and morality coexist, but also allows us to contribute the unique wisdom of Confucianism to addressing many new problems faced by humanity, with the dialectical correlation between intellectuality and benevolence as the axis.