Ye Shi and the Anti-Neo-Confucianism Thoughts in the Southern Song Dynasty

Ye Shi's academic thought towards neo-Confucianism experienced significant change from praise to opposition.^His criticism against neo-Confucianism was systematic and profound in his later years. He denied the orthodoxy position of the neo-Confucianism, exposed the essence of the neo-Confucianism, denounced the fabrication of neo-Confucianism, criticized its extreme tendency, refuted its explanation for the Confucian classics, and constructed the utilitarian theory to rival it. With Ye Shi's contribution, the anti-neo-Confucianism thoughts reached maturity in theory and had extensive influence in society.