��Penetrating Clearly and Out-spreadly(��Ȼ��ͨ)��, Eureka, and Cognitive Fluidity

The aim of this article is to understand a concept of ��penetrating clearly and out-spreadly (��Ȼ��ͨ)�� by comparing it with a certain concept that has been introduced in a contemporary intellectual trend. It is argued that the concept of ��penetrating clearly and out-spreadly�� in Neo-Confucianism and that of cognitive fluidity in cognitive science have a common cognitive basis, although they differently describe some cognitive features from their distinctive perspectives. With the comparative research, we can find that the concept of ��penetrating clearly and out-spreadly�� gives rise to a theoretical weakness largely due to its metaphysical context. By eliminating the metaphysical features which were pervasive in Neo-Confucianism in the 12th century, it can be interpreted in terms of cognitive fluidity. In conclusion, it is argued that the cognitive fluidity underlies Neo-Confucian concept of ��penetrating clearly and out-spreadly�� by clarifying cognitive implications and features it has.