Rational Dream

Author: Jian Jun
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-05-01
Features: When we move from the first volume Enjoying Philosophy to the second volume The Dream of Reason, we immediately feel that the tone and atmosphere have changed. We can no longer casually approach the study of philosophy. Because we have long known the fate and outcome of philosophy, yet we still don’t understand why humanity’s highest wisdom has been deconstructed. If we think about this, who would still have the mood and sense of ease to enjoy it? Since that’s the case, let’s take a serious look! As the saying goes, "Learning without history is like studying in vain." For example, those who study art without understanding art history, music without music history, or architecture without architectural history—what could they possibly achieve? Moreover, philosophy is inherently a discipline "rooted in time." So, let’s briefly outline the history of philosophy in as few words as possible, giving everyone a preliminary intuitive understanding before delving into it rationally. Isn’t the soul the union of the and the? Using time as a thread to connect the philosophical thoughts and theoretical systems of various schools is clearly a time-efficient method. It not only helps us see the development of philosophy more clearly but also aids in comprehension and memorization. I enjoy this learning approach, hoping you won’t mind. At the same time, let’s shift our mindset. We’re not here to study philosophy, which is after all a tedious task. We’re here to savor the intellectual feast of philosophers, to explore the trajectory of human thought, to see how later generations found a way to continue "talking" about philosophy when the predecessors had nearly exhausted it, leaving little room for further discussion. We’re here to observe how our ancestors sought ways to console their souls—isn’t that a truly magnificent thing? What’s more exciting, more flavorful, or more stimulating than this?