Neo-Confucianism Evolution in the Song Dynasty

During the Song Dynasty, Neo-Confucianism took a different approach from classical Confucianism, shifting focus towards the mind and the nature of human beings and things. The Song-era Confucians drew inspiration from Buddhist and Taoist doctrines, incorporating cosmological and metaphysical aspects into their philosophy. Key figures like Zhou Dunyi played a significant role in reinterpreting Taoist diagrams and introducing concepts such as the taiji, or supreme ultimate, symbol. This period marked a significant evolution in Confucian philosophy, emphasizing self-cultivation and harmony in society.