List of Chinese philosophers

Ancient philosophers

Confucius, arguably the most influential Chinese philosopher ever.
Dong Zhongshu, integrated Yin Yang cosmology into a Confucian ethical framework.
Gaozi
Mencius, idealist who proposed mankind is innately benevolent.
Wang Fu, endorsed the Confucian model of government.
Wang Mang, emperor who sought to create a harmonious society, yet chaos resulted.
Xunzi, broke from Mencius' view, instead arguing that morality is extrinsic.
Yan Hui, the favorite disciple of Confucius and one of the most revered figures of Confucianism.
Zengzi
Zheng Xuan
Zisi
Zhu Xi
List of Confucianists

Ge Hong
Laozi (Lao Tzŭ), illusive founder of Taoism and author of the Tao te Ching (Book of the Way).
Lie Yukou, said to be the author of the Daoist book Liezi
Yang Xiong
Zhang Daoling
Zhang Jue
Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzŭ), mystical and relativistic skeptic.
List of Taoists

Guan Zhong, whose reforms made him disparagingly identified as Legalist, but actual philosophy did not develop until hundred years later.
Chao Cuo
Han Feizi, synthesizer of Legalist theories.
Li Kui
Li Si
Shang Yang
Shen Buhai
Shen Dao
Zi Chan

Huineng, 6th Buddhist patriarch of the Chan (Zen) School in China, he established the concept of "no mind".
Linji Yixuan (Lin-chi), founder of the Linji school of Chan (Zen) Buddhism in China, a branch of which is the Rinzai school in Japan.
Zhaozhou, famous chan (Zen) master during the 8th century, noted for his wisdom. Became known for his subtle teaching methods and his use of gongans.
Jizang
Sengzhao
Yi Xing
Zhi Dun
Xuanzang
Huiyuan

Zhou Dunyi, argued for the inseparability of metaphysics and ethics.
- Cheng Yi, made enemies with other philosophers, resulting in his works being banned.
- Cheng Hao, brother to Cheng Yi.
- Zhu Xi (Chu Hsi), rationalist and leading figure of the School of Principle.
  - Chen Hongmou, argued for racial and sexual equality in the place of education.
  - Wang Fuzhi, believed Confucius' teachings had become distorted, so wrote his own commentaires.
  - Wang Yangming, idealist and leading figure of the School of Mind.
    - Li Zhi, preached a form of moral relativism.
    - Qian Dehong, further developed The Yangming School of Mind.
    - Xu Ai, ardent follower of Wang Yangming.
    - Huang Zongxi, one of the first Neo-Confucians to stress the need for constitutional law.
    - Zhan Ruoshui, lifelong friend to Wang Yangming.
Han Yu, precursor to Neo-Confucianism, essayist, and poet.
Lu Jiuyuan, saw moral conduct as a consequence of intuitive insights into the essence of reality.
Shao Yong, considered one of the most scholarly men of the time.
Su Shi, accomplished Song Dynasty writer.
Ye Shi, stressed practical learning and applying Confucian doctrine to real world problems.
Zhang Zai, everything is composed of qi, and that fact explains everything.
Lai Zhide, created the Taijitu.
Li Ao
Liu Zongzhou – considered the last master of Song-Ming Neo-Confucianism.

Pan Pingge, criticised Neo-Confucianism, instead emphasized the search for truth in daily living.
Dai Zhen, made two arguments against Neo-Confucianism.
Fan Zhen, denied the ideas of reincarnation and body-soul dualism.
Huan Tan
Wang Chong
Ma Rong
Shen Kuo
Ximen Bao

Feng Youlan (Fung Yu-Lan), rationalist who integrated Neo-Confucian, Taoist, and Western metaphysics.
Jin Yuelin, logical positivist and logician.
Tu Weiming, ethicist.
Xiong Shili
Ma Yifu
Mou Zongsan
Tang Junyi
Xu Fuguan
Zhang Dongsun
Carsun Chang (Zhang Junmai)
Zhou Guoping
Tsang Lap Chuen (曾立存)