本文探討阮籍之心性觀，指出：性是氣化而來的原初本真之性，具有價值性的意義。情為性之發用，可能符合、或違逆於本性。心是決定情之方向的關鍵，若順性之方向、發揮主宰功能，便可制情使之順性；反之，便逆性而傷性。因此，修養此心，節制情、以回復本性，便是實踐之要求。心、神修養，則以氣之應感為中介。「靜萬物之神」、「定性命之真」之語，可說扼要地涵攝了他的心性觀。這是貫串其各期各作品的共同觀點。阮籍各篇作品主題不一、思想或有差異；但背後皆以此心性思想為共同的理論基礎。

This essay analyzes Ruan Ji's perspective on Xin and Xing (mind and nature.) as follows: Xing is original nature of human, endowed by Qi and has its positive value. Xin is the trigger of Qing, which can be accord or disaccord with nature. Xin should act as the master of Qing, a key to where Qing goes. Only when Xin does the good job, Qing will be triggered accordingly. Thus the cultivation of Xin or Shen was demanded and Qi was considered as the intermediary of the whole procedure. “Stabilize of Mind and Human Nature” can be took as an abstract of Ruan Ji's concept of mind and nature which is the common foundation of his various works.

魏晉玄學、氣性、嵇康、樂論

Wei Jin Xuan Xue, Theory of Qi and Nature, Ji Kang, Music Theory