Feng Youlan's Autobiography

Author: Chen Danbian
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2004-05-01
Features: Ancient authors, after completing their main works, would write a separate piece for each, describing their ancestors, narrating their experiences, outlining the principles, clarifying the purpose, and appending it to the end of the book. Examples include the "Self-Portrait of the Grand Historian" in the Records of the Grand Historian, the "Biographical Sketch" in the Book of Han, and the "Autobiography" in the Discourses Weighed in the Balance. These are all similar in nature. The intention was to allow later readers to know the author, understand their era, and more easily grasp the strengths and weaknesses of the book, as well as the reasons behind its successes and failures. The traditional format has much to commend it. The era covered in this book spans from the late 1890s to the 1980s, a time of rapid development in Chinese history, with waves as vast and transformations as strange as those seen in previous eras. Amidst this period, I recalled the past, narrated old tales, cherished the past, and looked toward the future. The book is divided into four parts: "Society," which records the environment; "Philosophy," which explains the discipline; "University," which discusses education; and "Prospects," which expresses confidence. The length varies—just as the old novelists said, "If there is much to say, the book is long; if there is little to say, it is short." Following the old tradition, I call it a "Preface." It is not the preface to a single book but rather a preface to my previous works. Those who know me and judge my times, as well as those who praise or criticize me, may read it.
"San Song Tang" refers to one of the affiliated dormitories of Peking University's Yannan Garden. My family has lived there for thirty years. During the Cultural Revolution, we were nearly evicted, but luckily, we were spared. There are three pines in the courtyard, which I often touch and linger upon, more than even Yuanming's count. My daughter, Zong Pu, who lived in the same dormitory, once called it "Feng Lu" and said to me: "It is already named Feng Lu, why not call this book Feng Lu's Preface?" I believed that the halls and lodgings named by the ancients were meant to emotions—whether through pines or wind, each its own meaning. Zong Pu agreed. Some parts of the book are vivid and as if they happened yesterday, yet in the blink of an eye, they have become memories. I am now in my advanced years, my ears and eyes have lost their sharpness, and writing has become nearly impossible. Except for chapters four and five, everything was dictated by me. The original manuscript was transcribed by Tu Youguang of the Philosophy Department at Tsinghua University, and his contribution to the completion of the book is immense. I hereby record my gratitude.
Feng Youlan (1895-1990), styled Zhisheng, was a philosopher. He was born in Tanghe County, Henan Province. A renowned modern philosopher and historian of philosophy, he graduated from the Philosophy Department of Peking University in 1918 and received his Ph.D. in philosophy from Columbia University in the United States in 1923. Upon returning to China, he served as the Dean of the College of Letters and Director of the Philosophy Department at Tsinghua University, as well as a professor at the Sichuan-Chiangsi Union University. After the liberation, he became a professor at the Philosophy Department of Peking University and a member of the Academic Division of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. His major works include A History of Chinese Philosophy, New Logic, New Words of Wisdom, New Principles of the Way, New Principles of Humanity, New Teachings for the Times, and New Discourses on Governance.
Feng Youlan (1895-1990), philosopher, native of Tanghe County, Henan. Graduated from the Philosophy Department of Peking University in 1918. Received his Ph.D. in philosophy from Columbia University in the United States in 1923 and was later awarded honorary doctorates by Princeton University and Columbia University. From 1924, he successively served as the Dean of the College of Letters and professor of philosophy at Zhongzhou University, professor of philosophy at Guangdong University, professor of philosophy at Yenching University, Secretary-General of Tsinghua University, professor of philosophy and acting Dean of Academics, and Dean of the College of Letters at Tsinghua University. After 1937, he served as acting chairman of the Tsinghua University Academic Affairs Conference, chairman of the Academic Affairs Committee, and professor of philosophy at Peking University. After 1949, he became a member of the Philosophy and Social Sciences Division of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. His works include A History of Chinese Philosophy, New Logic, New Discourses on Governance, New Teachings for the Times, Collected Papers on the History of Chinese Philosophy, and A New Chapter of the History of Chinese Philosophy.
This book is a self-narrative biography of Feng Youlan, a philosopher of the century, reflecting on his academic life in his later years. After enduring a century of vicissitudes, Mr. Feng Youlan recounted his experiences in studying and pursuing philosophy with a calm demeanor, while also revealing his mindset in the era of "the wind of the West and falling leaves," as well as the spirit of a group of scholars of the same generation who surged forward with vigor. The book is divided into four parts: "Society," "Philosophy," "University," and "Prospects," each narrating the author's life experiences, academic growth, teaching and learning process, and his earnest hope for "the old homeland with a new destiny."