The Transformation and its Effect of Dai Zhen's Viewpoint on Heavenly Principles and Human Desire

In the ideological background of the transformation of Confucianism in the Ming and Qing Dynasties, Dai Zhen continued the turn of de noumenon on relationship between Li and Qi and the turn of monism in the theory of human nature since the middle of the Ming Dynasty. Correspondingly, in the view of Heavenly Principles and human desire, Dai Zhen replaced opposition between Heavenly principles and human desire on self-cultivation theory with theirs accordance in epistemology. From philosophical point of view, from Confucians in Song Dynasty to Dai Zhen, the view of Heavenly principles and human desire has shifted from the realm of work theory to epistemology, from the theory of motivation to effect. However, from the perspective of value orientation, Dai Zhen's view of "satisfy desires" is not opposed to the Neo-Confucianism theory of "Cherish Heaven Principles, Reduce Selfish Desires", but the focus of care is shifted from the "correct the mind of the monarch" to the "satisfy the desires of the civilian". Dai Zhen's criticism of the "killing by Heaven Principles" of Confucians in Song Dynasty not only criticizes the alienation of ethics caused by officialization of Neo-Confucianism, but also reveals the contradiction of motive and effect, the ideal and reality, the self-discipline and heteronomy. From the perspective of historical effect, Dai Zhen's criticism of the "killing by Heaven Principles" of Confucians in Song Dynasty has double effects which is ideological development and cover up.