Rethinking the Past (Part II): Part II

Author: Liu Ruilin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-09-01
Features: Over twenty years ago, there was confusion and some discussions about whether reading should have "taboos." Mr. Li Honglin later published his famous article titled "Dispelling Confusion" in the journal Dushu, which can be seen as a summary of those discussions. After its publication, although it also drew criticism from certain quarters, the idea that "reading should not have taboos" became a widespread social consensus. As a result, Chinese reading habits and even the entire spiritual life underwent significant changes. Revisiting this old story is because "reviewing the past" and "reading" share many similarities. Confucius once said, "By reviewing the past, one can learn something new," a wise remark. However, at the same time, he was also the one who "compiled the Spring and Autumn Annals to make traitors and rebels fear," becoming the pioneer who used "reviewing the past" to serve politics and set the precedent for writing history based on current political needs.