Why are Chinese people so "stupid"? How should Chinese people become smart in the 21st century

Author: Li Ming
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-04-01
Features: Facing the of the century, how should the Chinese in the 21st century become "smart"? I can use a maxim to expose a big figure, just like a pin stuck on a butterfly。——Nietzsche Every new idea is initially a stranger。——Goethe To a crab, a person walking forward looks as foolish as possible!——Lichtenberg I, a philosopher, am not concerned with the piles of money on the table, but with the person counting the money。——Stendhal The author recently plans to publish two books, one titled "Western Philosophy is Dead!", and the other is this book, "Why Are the Chinese So Stupid?". Laozi once said in the Dao De Jing: "To know others is wisdom; to know yourself is enlightenment; to overcome others is power; to overcome yourself is strength." The ancient Greek philosopher Socrates also taught people to "know thyself," following the Delphic Oracle. The book "Western Philosophy is Dead!" is the author's preliminary conclusion drawn from an examination of modern Western philosophy and the humanity of modern Westerners from the perspective of "knowing others." The book "Why Are the Chinese So Stupid?" is the author's preliminary conclusion drawn from the perspectives of "knowing oneself" and "knowing thyself," based on an examination of the ancient Chinese school of thought and the humanity of the Chinese people. The first book may upset some Western cultural centrists. Although some Western philosophers have long said that "Western philosophy has come to an end" or "is finished," it is different that such words are now spoken by a non-Westerner, and even by a Chinese person from their own mouth, using such extreme language as "is dead!"—which inevitably causes emotional discomfort. However, the author believes that most Western scholars, due to their habitual freedom and tolerance in academic views, will likely remain unfazed and may even enjoy hearing such news. The second book, however, makes the author a little worried. Before, Mr. Bai Yong's book "The Ugly Chinese!" had already provoked the anger of many of his fellow countrymen. Today, the author names his own work "Why Are the Chinese So Stupid?"—the author is unsure what kind of backlash it will bring. But the author then reflects that after more than two decades of reform and opening up, the Chinese people's tolerance for harsh words has likely grown. Moreover, the author considers himself different from Mr. Bai Yong. The author is not merely an artist who vents emotions and sentiments but tends more toward reasoning and explaining, drawing more from China's historical roots and the fundamental principles of human nature to interpret the issues raised. Are the Chinese "stupid"? As Chinese people, including the author himself, it is often difficult to admit it. But in the long history of the Chinese people, especially in modern times, their actions and outcomes have indeed been inferior to others (particularly Westerners). Poverty, backwardness, weakness, political humiliation, economic exploitation, and cultural and academic disdain—all of these, the author believes, are deeply rooted in the long-term "stupidity" of the Chinese people. To know oneself is to improve oneself. To recognize the past and present "stupidity" of the Chinese is precisely to pursue their future and tomorrow's "smartness." The author sincerely hopes that the 21st century will be the century when the Chinese people become increasingly smart. In fact, the 21st century has already presented a significant opportunity for the Chinese to compete equally with the Westerners in "smartness." This significant opportunity is that Western philosophy, which has long driven the Westerners to become smarter than other humans, has died at the turn of the 20th century. With Western philosophy dead, the new century will call for the birth of a new humanology with a completely new logical foundation for all humanity. Where will this new humanology's fundamental logic first emerge? The author hopes it will first emerge in China, in the Chinese people who have thoroughly recognized the fundamental reasons for their past "stupidity" (or their long struggle to become smart). For this reason, the author dares to write this book for his fellow countrymen. Additionally, this book is based on part of the conclusions of the author's previous work "Questioning Human Nature," combined with some recent writings. It aims to complement and contrast with another major work, "Western Philosophy is Dead." "Western Philosophy is Dead!" aims to critique Western cultural traditions, while this book aims to critique Chinese cultural traditions. Critiquing both Chinese and Western cultural traditions aims to integrate them and advance the innovation of global culture in the new century. The author welcomes debate and challenges and hopes to inspire resonance among a broad readership.