Rethinking technological de-substantiation through Xiong Shili’s ti–yong framework and Tang Junyi’s philosophy of spiritual realmsSu, Tzu-ying (Avtor) Xiong ShiliTang Junyientityde-substantiationChatGPTThis paper explores the phenomenon of de-substantiation in technological entities. The “de-substantiation” brought about by technology has opened up a new space for rethink­ing the definition of substance. The mutability of substance is by no means unfamiliar to Chinese philosophy. Through Xiong Shili’s Theory of Substance and Function, particu­larly his notion of qi as the dynamic state of being between substance and ontology, this paper rethinks the ontological implications of technological de-substantiation. At the same time, Tang Junyi‘s philosophy in The Existence of Life and the World of Spirituality provides a lens through which to examine how external “substance” (ti), “im­age/form” (xiang) and “function” (yong) transform along the continuum from the outer world to one’s inner spiritual life. This dual framework is employed to interrogate the boundaries of the “technological entity” under the process of de-substantiation. However, AI-generated images tend to remain at the level of recognition shaped by known indica­tors, endlessly multiplying perceptual variations of the external world that may be called an expansive field of “other-directed perception” (jue ta). In contrast, human cognition extends beyond this by extracting ideal meaning from within these indicators. Thus, by drawing on Xiong Shili’s and Tang Junyi‘s respective philosophies, this paper reflects on how technological de-substantiation affects the conceptual boundaries of technological substance. The conclusion affirms that self-awareness (zijue) and resonant perception (gan tong) remain the most precious values that distinguish human existence.20262026-10-30 12:49:04Članek v reviji190607sl