Philosophical Implication of Ancient Chinese Physical Literacy

Using the method of documentation, this article summarizes and interprets the four meanings of “literacy” in ancient Chinese classics, and points out that they essentially constitute a set of conceptual clusters with complementary meanings. On this basis, using the method of Chinese philosophical hermeneutics, this article analyzes the monism and holistic body implication of literacy, and proposes that physical literacy is the meaning of the self-cultivation of the Chinese classical era. It conceives five types of physical literacy, namely: 1) the unity of perception movement and mental development; 2) the overall development of physical ability and mind; 3) the unity of emotional cultivation and physical training; 4) the harmony of unity and the integration of morality and art; 5) daily using and lifelong development. This concept of physical literacy advocates the development of morality in sports,emphasizes the expression of the emotions of the neutrals in the movement, and exercises physical ability and harmonious group relationship in a ritualized and contextualized atmosphere. Its own characteristics also contain a strong contemporary value.Although this concept is different from the concept of physical literacy in the modern sense, it can be matched at the bottom of the philosophical logic of the body. By comparing the similarities and differences between the two, this article highlights and constructs the physical literacy in the Chinese context.