Wei dynasty official and Neo-Daoist (xuanxue) philosopher who applied Daoist concepts of non-being (wu) to interpret Confucian texts, helping to synthesize Daoism and Confucianism.
Argued that the sage (like Confucius) has no fixed emotions or attachments — operates from wu (non-being) — a Daoist reading of Confucian sagehood that was influential in xuanxue thought.
Discussing
Ask anything about He Yan — their ideas, influences, contradictions, legacy.
Sign in to start a conversation.