Classics of Peking University Philosophy. Selected Works of Xiong Shili

Author: Chen Lai (Editor-in-Chief) / Xiong Shili
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-05-01
Features: This book reviews the achievements of these 20th-century philosophical classics, with two points being particularly prominent:
First, modern Chinese philosophical research invariably takes Western philosophy and its historical development as a reference background. This is true not only for scholars who studied abroad in Europe and America but also for those with strong traditional characteristics, such as Liang Shuming and Xiong Shili. Their philosophical awareness has been profoundly influenced by Western philosophical concepts. Western philosophy represents the refined expression of rational analysis and construction in human wisdom. While the form of Western philosophy is unique, many of its discussions are universal. Although the discourse of Western philosophy is not the fundamental definition of what constitutes philosophy, it has become the foundation of modern philosophy. Studying Western philosophy provides an important method with universal significance for researching other philosophies. In-depth understanding of Western philosophy and other philosophies in the world will promote a deeper understanding of our own philosophical traditions.
Second, the creation of modern Chinese philosophical systems must establish a positive connection with the resources of traditional Chinese philosophy. As Chen Yinke said, "I suspect that if China, from this day forward, could faithfully introduce the thoughts of North America or Eastern Europe, the result would be no different from the Yogacara school of Xuanzang." In the history of Chinese thought, it could neither occupy a high position nor ultimately persist. Those who could truly create a philosophical system and achieve original insights must, on the one hand, absorb and introduce external doctrines, while on the other hand, not forget the position of their own nation. These two attitudes—contrary yet complementary—are the true spirit of Taoism, the old path of Neo-Confucianism, and what two thousand years of intellectual contact between our nation and others has revealed." Xiong Shili's New Yi Studies, Liang Shuming's Neo-Confucianism, Feng Youlan's New Rationalism, He Lin's New Mindology, Jin Yulan's New Realism, and Zhang Dainian's New Materialism all consciously connect to classical Chinese philosophy to varying degrees and integrate with the practical aspects of Chinese cultural traditions. All the Chinese philosophers who achieved remarkable success in constructing philosophical systems in the 20th century followed this path.
The selection of this series prioritizes highlighting the philosophical thoughts of these scholars, giving equal weight to masterpieces and seminal works. The selection aims to differ from existing collections, reflecting the editors' unique (perspective) and organizational vision. Thus, the series not only highlights these scholars' contributions to 20th-century Chinese philosophical creation and research but also features the editors' distinctive interpretations.
In the past two decades, academic circles in mainland China have made remarkable achievements in researching contemporary Neo-Confucianism. This research began with China's reform and opening-up. After the doors were opened, overseas scholars, primarily overseas Chinese scholars, followed by scholars from Hong Kong and Taiwan, came to mainland China to lecture. Subsequently, their papers and works were gradually introduced. This, of course, was only an external factor. The internal reason lies in the reflection of mainland scholars on the harm inflicted by the May Fourth Movement and the Cultural Revolution on traditional culture and the heritage of their own nation, leading to a re-examination of the relationship between tradition and modernity.