Wang Tong (philosopher)

Wang Tong (王通; 584–617), style name Zhongyan (仲淹), posthumous name Master Wenzhong (文中子) was a Chinese philosopher and politician during the Sui dynasty. Wang Tong was born in Longmen County (modern day Tonghua Township, Wanrong County, Shanxi province) in 587. Wang Tong was a great student and somewhat of a child prodigy, with legend saying he starting teaching at the age of 15. In 602, he received political office and was made Secretary of Shuzhou. In the year 603, he submitted a memorial to Emperor Wen of the Sui dynasty entitled the "12 Point Plan for Great Peace", advocating for an overhaul of the political system. When his proposals were rejected, Wang Tong lost confidence in the Sui court and resigned his post. Leaving Chang'an, he retired to the Hefen region and dedicated himself fully to teaching. During this time, he also wrote numerous works on Confucian philosophy. His most famous (and only surviving) work is the philosophical treatise Zhongshuo (中说), which was said to have been compiled by his sons shortly after his death (although the circumstances around the compilation of the Zhongshuo still remains a point of scholarly controversy to this day). The Zhongshuo sought to be a revival of Confucian thought after the turmoil of the Sixteen Kingdoms and Northern and Southern dynasties periods.