1001Philosophers

Li Zehou Quotes

Li Zehou was a Chinese philosopher and aesthetician, the most influential figure of the post-Mao Chinese philosophical scene, who reconstructed the Confucian and Marxist traditions through what he called a sedimentation theory of culture. The Path of Beauty offered a sweeping aesthetic history of Chinese civilization, while A History of Classical Chinese Thought and his essays on Kantian critical philosophy proposed a synthesis of Confucian moral psychology, Marxist anthropology of practice, and Kantian transcendental philosophy. The quotes below are attributed to Li Zehou, organized by topic.

Li Zehou on Freedom

  • Attributed to Li Zehou:

    “Aesthetics is the highest fulfillment of human freedom.”

Li Zehou on Justice

  • “It can take time to find the right balance, but I would say I have always tried to “blend” my life with work, although it can be hard sometimes. If you love what you do it makes it a lot less stressful. I can often be found doing my work emails whilst watching my children on the sports field, or taking my mum on store visits with me.”

    Wikiquote

Li Zehou on Knowledge

  • “I think they need to follow a career path that they are passionate about, whatever field that may be in”

    Wikiquote

Li Zehou on Nature

  • Attributed to Li Zehou:

    “Culture is the sedimentation of practice in human nature.”

Li Zehou on Politics

  • Attributed to Li Zehou:

    “Confucianism is the heart of Chinese civilization, but its forms must be remade in every age.”

Li Zehou on Virtue

  • Attributed to Li Zehou:

    “Practical reason has two halves: the moral and the aesthetic.”

  • Attributed to Li Zehou:

    “Kantian critique and Confucian self-cultivation belong together.”