Classics of Philosophy from Peking University. Selected Works of Zhang Dainian

Author: Chen Lai (Editor-in-Chief) / Zhang Dainian
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-05-01
Features: This book reviews the achievements of these 20th-century philosophical classics, with two points being particularly prominent: , the philosophical research in modern Chinese philosophy is invariably based on Western philosophy and its historical development as a reference background. It goes without saying that scholars who returned from studying abroad in Europe and America; even scholars with strong traditional characteristics, such as Liang Shuming and Xiong Shili, were profoundly influenced by Western philosophical concepts. Western philosophy is an exquisite representation of rational analysis and construction in human wisdom. Although the form of Western philosophy is special, many of its discussions on issues are universal. While the discourse of Western philosophy is not the fundamental criterion of what constitutes philosophy, it has become the foundation of modern philosophy. Studying Western philosophy can provide an important and universally meaningful method for researching other philosophies. In-depth understanding of Western philosophy and other philosophies in the world will enhance our 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 is able to faithfully introduce the thoughts of North America or Eastern Europe in the future, the result will be no different from the Yogacara school of Xuanzang," which could neither occupy a high position in the history of our thought nor ultimately perish. Those who could truly create a systematic philosophy and achieve original contributions must, on the one hand, absorb and introduce external doctrines, and on the other hand, not forget the position of their own national heritage. These two attitudes, which are both contrasting and complementary, are the true spirit of Taoism, the old path of Neo-Confucianism, and what two thousand years of contact between our nation and other nations' thoughts have 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 combine with the practical aspects of Chinese cultural traditions. All Chinese philosophers who achieved significant accomplishments in constructing philosophical systems in the 20th century were the same. The selection of this series prioritizes highlighting the philosophical thoughts of these scholars, giving equal weight to famous works and notable essays. The selection aims to differ from existing collections, reflecting the unique editorial and organizational structure, thereby making this series distinctive in highlighting the contributions of these scholars to 20th-century Chinese philosophy while also offering the editors' unique interpretations. In the past two decades, the academic community in mainland China has made remarkable achievements in researching contemporary Neo-Confucianism. This research began with China's reform and opening-up. After the doors were opened, scholars from abroad, 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. Of course, this was only an external factor. The internal reason was that scholars in mainland China reflected on the harm done to traditional culture and the cultural heritage of their nation since the May Fourth Movement to the Cultural Revolution, and rethought the relationship between tradition and modernity. Zhang Dainian (1909-2004), styled Jitong, also known as Yutong. Born in Beijing in May 1909, his ancestral home was Xian County, Hebei Province. His father, Zhang Lian, was a jinshi (imperial scholar) in the Guangxu era (1903) and served as a compiler in the Hanlin Academy. His older brother, Zhang Songnian, was a modern Chinese philosopher who greatly influenced Zhang Dainian's academic path. In 1928, Zhang Dainian enrolled at Tsinghua University but soon withdrew and applied to the Education Department of Beijing Normal University, where he was admitted. In 1933, upon graduating, he was appointed as a teaching assistant in the Department of Philosophy at Tsinghua University for his numerous published academic papers, engaging in teaching work in philosophy. After the "July 7 Incident," Tsinghua University moved south, and he remained in Beijing,. In 1943, he taught at the private China University as a lecturer in philosophy. After the war, in 1946, Tsinghua University reopened, and he returned to work in the Department of Philosophy at Tsinghua University. In 1951, he was promoted to professor. In 1952, during the nationwide adjustment of higher education institutions, he was transferred to the Department of Philosophy at Peking University, where he continued his work in teaching and researching Chinese philosophy. This book is selected and compiled into three parts: philosophical theory, the history of Chinese philosophy, and cultural studies, with the content of each part arranged in chronological order according to the time of writing or publication. The advantage of this arrangement is that it more centrally presents the main academic achievements of Mr. Zhang as a philosopher, philosopher of history, and master of Chinese classics to the readers. Due to space limitations, this selected collection only includes representative essays from Mr. Zhang in each period, while his monographs, except for Tian Ren Wu Lun, can only include essential excerpts. Some monographs, such as A Concise History of Chinese Materialist Thought and The Methodology of the Sources of the History of Chinese Philosophy, are not included. This is done to provide readers with a comprehensive understanding of Mr. Zhang's life and his main academic achievements.