The Way Forward for Chinese Culture

Author: Chen Xujing
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-11-01
Features: Professor Chen Xujing employs theories from Western anthropology, sociology, and cultural studies to write this book, exploring the similarities, differences, and merits of Eastern and Western cultures. He analyzes the attitudes of previous generations and contemporary Chinese people toward Eastern and Western cultures, and seeks the direction of Chinese culture in the midst of confusion. In 1933, Professor Chen Xujing delivered a speech titled "The Way Out of Chinese Culture" at Sun Yat-sen University, which sparked another debate on Sino-Western culture since the May Fourth Movement. This book is further expanded and revised based on the manuscript of that speech. In this book, Professor Chen Xujing uses theories from Western anthropology, sociology, and cultural studies to propose his fundamental concepts of culture. Taking these concepts as a starting point, he provides an in-depth introduction and comparative study of three factions on the issue of Sino-Western culture at the time: those who advocate for a complete acceptance of Western culture, those who advocate for a return to China's traditional culture, and those who advocate for a compromise. Thus, he explores where the way out for Chinese culture truly lies. The author employs theories from Western anthropology, sociology, and cultural studies to propose fundamental concepts of culture and, based on these, introduces and studies three factions on the issue of Sino-Western culture at the time: those who advocate for a complete acceptance of Western culture, those who advocate for a return to China's traditional culture, and those who advocate for a compromise. Through this, he explores where the way out for Chinese culture truly lies.