On the Bioethical Thought of the Yangming School in Ming Dynasty China

The bioethical thought of the Yangming School is a crystallization of ideas responding to the crisis of life alienation in the Ming Dynasty. With “Liangzhi (innate moral consciousness)” as the noumenon, “Zhi Liangzhi (extending innate moral consciousness)” as the practice, and “Wan Wu Yi Ti Zhi Ren (the benevolence of all things as one)” as the realm, it constructs a complete system integrating individual awakening, moral practice, and social ideals. Its core connotations are reflected in three aspects: Firstly, Liangzhi (innate moral consciousness), as the homologous noumenon of the universe and individuals, endows life with intrinsic value and equality, embodying dual connotations of rational principles and moral emotions. Secondly, “Zhi Liangzhi (extending innate moral consciousness)” guides life to return to its true nature from the obscuration of selfish desires through specific paths such as establishing aspirations, contemplating in tranquility, self-examination and overcoming desires, and tempering oneself in matters, combined with the principle of “Zhi Xing He Yi (the unity of knowledge and action)”. Thirdly, “Wan Wu Yi Ti Zhi Ren (the benevolence of all things as one)” breaks the subject-object opposition, expands ethical care from individuals to all things, and points to the social ideal of “the world is like one family”. This thought upholds the subjectivity of life, establishes the equality of life, and advocates a practice-oriented approach, but it also has limitations such as mystical tendencies, the risk of extreme individualism, and the feudal ethics constrained by its era. In the contemporary era, it provides important enlightenment for resolving the loss of life meaning, healing the division of body and mind, strengthening moral self-discipline, and building a community of life, serving as a significant resource for the creative transformation of traditional ethical thought.