Beyond moral and religious conventionalities: Comparative metaethical and ethical reflections on Zhang Zai (1020-1077) and Paul Tillich (1886-1965)

After introducing the unusual situations that shaped the lives of Zhang Zai and Paul Tillich, we present details from two major writings of these seminal figures: Zhang's Western Inscription and Tillich's sermon, "The Depth of Existence." In this process we present new English renderings of selected passages of Zhang's influential essay, and illustrate how Tillich's essay manifests ontohermeneutic claims related to change and transformation that have not always been highlighted in his work. As a consequence, we reveal how both men's writings provoke some unusual metaethical and ethical reflections, while also sharing important values and standards revealed through this comparative study.