In this article I have focused on an important aspect of onto‐cosmology
of the Song‐Ming Confucianism by focusing on the unique
conceptualization of li in 朱熹(1130~1200) and 李退溪(1501~1571)。I
bring out the creative–transformative power of li on two levels of
understanding, onto‐cosmological and conceptual‐logical and show how a
dialectics of integration could transform the li of vacuity into the li of
creativity. It is in light of this transformation we are then able to
understand better the challenges on the issues of identity and difference
between 四端and 七情in the debates between 李退溪and 奇明彦。I have
analyzed the debates in great detail and show where the crux of the matter
lies. 奇明彦,perhaps following 罗钦顺, raised questions of proper
distinction between 理发气随and 气发理乘。 Despite 李退溪‘s forceful
responses, 奇明彦remains challenging. What is the solution? How to
reconcile the two? With proper understanding of the issues by themselves,
I suggest a dialectics of transformation between moral feelings and natural
feelings which would adequately answer the doubts of 奇明彦and in some
sense come to rescue 李退溪and for that matter 朱熹from their insight in
creativity of li which is both enlightening and puzzling. Finally, I come
forward with the thesis on 理发气生、气发理生to integrate the positions of
李退溪and 奇明彦。