理り気き

noun

li and qi; principle and material force

A core concept in Song-period neo-Confucianism, referring to the underlying rational principle (理) and the material/vital force (気) that constitute all phenomena. Used in philosophical and historical contexts.

See also: 理 (り)

• 朱しゅ子し学がくでは、理り気き二に元げん論ろんが宇う宙ちゅうの成なり立たちを説せつ明めいする。

  In Zhu Xi's school, the dualism of li and qi explains the structure of the cosmos.

• 理り気きの概がい念ねんは、宋そう時じ代だいの儒じゅ学がく者しゃたちによって深ふかめられた。

  The concept of li and qi was deepened by Confucian scholars of the Song period.