Writing about the History of Thought: Introduction to the History of Chinese Thought

Author: Ge Zhaoguang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-07-01
Features: This book was originally the "Introduction" to A History of Chinese Thought, providing an explanation of the research perspective, selection of materials, and writing approach. It has been supplemented and revised by the author, with the addition of three new sections: "Addition and Subtraction in Thought History Research," "What Can Become Materials for Thought History," and "Images in the Perspective of Thought History Research." It is now published as a standalone book titled The Writing of Thought History. The title "The Writing of Thought History" does not imply that only one writing strategy is discussed here, because different writing approaches in thought history are always underpinned by different concepts, ideas, and methods. Changes in writing often signify shifts in the concepts, approaches, and methods of thought history research. This discussion addresses some major theoretical and methodological issues in the study of Chinese thought history or philosophy, such as how thought history should conceptualize the world of elite and classic thought versus the world of general knowledge, belief, and ideas; how knowledge history and thought history should mutually illuminate each other; what the ultimate basis or fundamental assumptions of ancient Chinese thought are; how thought history should reform past traditional writing styles and the didactic textbook-style chapter structures to trace the true threads and spirit of thought history; whether thought history should describe the so-called "thoughtless" eras, seeing art where there is none; how traditional knowledge and thought, as historical memory, can become new intellectual resources through reinterpretation, thereby creating continuity in thought history; and how archaeological findings and cultural relics should be viewed and utilized in thought history research, among others. Finally, the "Introduction" also discusses how to understand and limit the significance and boundaries of postmodern historical theory resources as they gradually enter China.