Zhi (Zhi’ify)

Zhi (智) is a Confucian virtue commonly translated as knowledge or wisdom. Diamond equates it with the state of Belovedness* – the feeling of feeling loved by the mother – our ultimate wisdom. Zhi is one of the four Cardinal Virtues of the Confucian philosopher Mencius (孟子), and Diamond’s discussions about it are often in the context of one or more of the three other such virtues, Jen*, Yi*, and Li*. See Four Cardinal Virtues of Mencius*.

From Zhi is derived the verb Zhi’ify, to endow with Belovedness, and the noun Zhi’ification, the endowing of something with Belovedness.

Timeline: Diamond began using Zhi in lectures and writings in 2011.