Wang Chong

Wang Chong

 or Wang Ch'ung

(born AD 27, Kuiji, China—died 100?, Kuiji) Chinese philosopher of the Han dynasty. A rationalistic naturalist, he paved the way for the critical spirit of the next philosophical period and prepared China for the advent of Neo-Daoism. He opposed the superstitious element of Confucianism, declaring that natural events occur spontaneously and are not influenced by the actions of humans, who have no exceptional position in the universe. He also insisted that theories be supported by concrete evidence and experimental proof. Though never greatly popular in China, he attracted new interest in the 20th century for his foreshadowing of rationalism and the scientific method.