Zhu Xi (1130-1200) is a Chinese philosopher, the eminent thinker of the revival of Confucianism known as neo- Confucianism. Zhu Xi’s ideas exerted a considerable influence on the following generations, in China, Vietnam and other East Asian countries.
Continuing in the style of Zhou Dun– yi (1016-1033), Cheng Hao (1032- 1085) and Cheng Yi (1033-1107), he developed a theory of Universal Reason (lý học) that (among other aspects) provided a rigorous defense of the aristocracy and social order. Zhu Xi’s commentaries on Confucian writings were essential elements of the examination system for admittance to the mandarinate.
