Chinese Academy of Social Sciences Academic Committee Collection. Issue 1 (2004)

Author: Compiled by the Academic Committee of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences
Publisher:
Publishing Date: March 1, 2005
Features: The Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the highest research institution for humanities and social sciences in China, has an Academic Committee composed of influential discipline leaders from various fields across the country. Each year, its members contribute a significant work for the first time in this journal, making it a collection of outstanding papers from disciplines such as literature, history, philosophy, economics, law, politics, sociology, and international studies. The materials are fresh, and new insights are. In 1998, Comrade Li Tiying, then President of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, proposed the establishment of the Academic Committee, which has now been in operation for six years. Over the past six years, the Committee has held several academic exchanges and conducted multiple academic investigations in different regions of the country. This year, based on public opinion, we have published this Journal to feature the academic papers of its members. It is planned to publish one volume annually in the future.
Natural sciences study the natural world that sustains and enables human survival and development, while social sciences and humanities study human society and the civilizations humans have created. Philosophy, often categorized under the latter, serves as a summary and synthesis of the two sciences. Both are highly important. For human progress and societal advancement, these two fields must advance side by side. If one wing is strong and the other weak, or if only one wing exists, it is impossible to fly high or far.
At the beginning of this year, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China issued the Opinions on Further Promoting the Prosperity of Philosophy and Social Sciences, which fully evaluates and emphasizes the role of these disciplines. Inspired by this, we have published this Journal to contribute our modest efforts in implementing the Central Committee's Opinions. History and reality have proven that the development of philosophy and social sciences requires the steadfast implementation of the principle of "let a hundred flowers bloom and let a hundred schools of thought contend." In academic research, differences of opinion among scholars are normal and inevitable. These differences may involve debates over truth and falsehood, discussions about comprehensiveness versus partiality, or disagreements between different perspectives and strengths, where one form of partiality may clash with another. Arguments from the correct side may contain elements of error, while those from the erroneous side may include reasonable components worth absorbing. Through "debate," different opinions, viewpoints, and schools of thought can interact, complement, and challenge each other, engaging in discussion, critique, and counter-critique. This process deepens and enriches our understanding of truth, and advances related disciplines. We have published this Journal to contribute our modest efforts in upholding this principle as well.
A major taboo in scientific research is stagnation, repetition, and regurgitating old ideas. It is essential to avoid saying what has already been said. Human society is constantly evolving, and the civilizations humans create are also developing. Philosophy and social sciences must explain the new phenomena and issues that arise, propose new thinking and solutions; even for old phenomena, issues, and problems, new discoveries of evidence or improvements in understanding can lead to new narratives and explanations, striving to bring them closer to objective truth or historical reality.
In recent years, leaders of the Party and the state have repeatedly called for "seeking truth from facts," "emancipating the mind," and "keeping pace with the times," as well as "actively promoting theoretical innovation." These opinions fully align with the demands of the times and the laws of academic development. This Journal will strive to implement these principles, aiming to publish more works that are guided by Marxism, are well-researched, and contribute to the advancement of related disciplines. In terms of style, we will advocate for rigor, simplicity, and fluency, adhering to internationally recognized academic norms.
The Academic Committee of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences brings together dozens of senior experts from dozens of disciplines within the Academy. The articles in this Journal represent their recent research achievements, which were compiled in a hasty manner and may have shortcomings. We sincerely invite readers to criticize and correct them.
This Journal includes 31 articles by members of the Academic Committee of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. Comrades Yang Tianshi, Yang Shengming, Qiu Yuanyun, Chen Yunquan, and Dong Wenzhu participated in the editorial work.