Zhu Xi,The culmination of Confucianism since Confucius and Mencius

Zhu Xi, born in Sanming, Fujian, during the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279), was renowned as a philosopher, educator, and thinker of great significance in the development of Confucianism. Often credited with consolidating the teachings of Confucius and Mencius, he played an important role in the establishment of "Neo-Confucianism". His philosophical tradition not only stands as a cornerstone of East Asian civilization but also served as an intellectual influence on Western enlightenment thinkers such as Montesquieu, Voltaire, Leibniz. Moreover, its impact extended to modern philosophers like Kant and Hegel during the process of the Westward spread of Eastern learning, contributing a positive influence to the shaping of Western civilization.