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Abstract This article discusses the theme of moral cultivation in ancient China and proposes to consider the relevant philosophical discussions a subfield of traditional Chinese philosophy. We argue that Chinese classics throughout history were freighted with frameworks and concepts concerning moral cultivation, contributing to a philosophical system about people’s daily moral development. The metaphysical justification, the interpenetration of what is beyond form and what is within form, ideas about the heart-mind and human nature further substantiate the claim from academic and cultural perspectives. This philosophy echoes Pierre Hadot’s idea of “philosophy as a way of life”, or an art of living, a pragmatic discipline that is both a meta-philosophy and a methodological approach in addressing pedagogical and psychological concerns (Hadot & Davidson, 1995). The justifications warrant the needs of perceiving traditional moral cultivation philosophically and discussing its educational implications for today.
You et al. (2024) studied this question.