 In a wider sense, Xuanxue came to describe, retrospectively, the main current of early medieval Chinese philosophy as a whole. This is a broad stroke that privileges intellectual unity over diversity. However, as we will see, family resemblances notwithstanding, there are significant differences among individual Xuanxue thinkers in their understanding of Dao. Looking back, later historians typically traced the beginnings of Xuanxue to the early third century C.E. The end of the Han dynasty caused painful disruptions, but it also forced open a space for intellectual renewal. In this context, the educated elite debated on ways to restore order and harmony, based on their interpretation of the teachings of the ancient sages and philosophers. The hermeneutical contest was keen, and new ideas came to the fore through the critical engagement with tradition. Nevertheless, there was a shared assumption that any blueprint for lasting peace and harmony must rest on a clear understanding of Dao, which provided a point of departure for the unfolding of Neo-Daoism.