Insight and Sudden Integration: Lonergan and Chu Hsi on Human Knowing Nature

Abstract

Bernard Lonergan (1904-1984), the accomplished theologian and philosopher, successfully demonstrated an invariant pattern in human understanding which could be appropriated not only in the cognitional structure but also applied to the field of metaphysics. On the other hand, one of the most influential thinkers in modern China, Chu Hsi（朱熹, 1130-1200）developed an original and mature theory named “study of the underlying principles to acquire knowledge” .（ko wu chih chih,,格物致知）It is generally agreed in China that this is one of the most important cognitional theories. I believe both of them share profound similarities especially in the notions of “insight” and so call “sudden Integration” （huo ran guan tong, 豁然貫通）This paper is divided into four main sections. In the first place, I will introduce both of them especially on their academic or cultural background. Secondly, I will argue that Lonergan distinguished isomorphism between knowing and known is comparative with Chu Hsi’s affirmation between the “reason of the human mind” and the “reason of things”. Thirdly, I will analysis both Lonergan’s notion of insight and Chu His’s sudden Integration. Finally, I will distinguish some similarities and discrimination in their philosophies.