Classics of Philosophy from Peking University. Selected Works of Hu Shih

Author: Chen Lai
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-05-01
Features: Editing The Selected Works of Hu Shi—Classic Writings of the Peking University Philosophy Department is a meaningful endeavor. It not only helps people re-evaluate Hu Shi's pioneering role in the development of philosophy at Peking University but also promotes the "Sinological" tradition of Hu Shi's research on the history of Chinese philosophy. This book reviews the achievements of these 20th-century philosophical classics, with two points being particularly prominent:
First, the study of modern Chinese philosophy is invariably grounded in Western philosophy and its historical development as a reference framework. This is true not only for scholars who studied abroad in the West but also for those with strong traditional characteristics, such as Liang Shuming and Xiong Shili. Their philosophical consciousness has been profoundly influenced by Western philosophical ideas. Western philosophy represents the refined embodiment 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 philosophy is, 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 the philosophies of the rest of 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 were to faithfully introduce the thoughts of North America or Eastern Europe in the future, the results would be no different from the case of Xuanzang's Yogacara studies." In the history of Chinese thought, such ideas could neither occupy a high position nor ultimately persist. Those who could truly establish their own philosophical systems 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—contradictory yet complementary—are the true spirit of Taoism, the old path of Neo-Confucianism, and what two thousand years of intellectual exchange between our nation and others has revealed." Xiong Shili's New Yi Studies, Liang Shuming's New 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 20th-century Chinese philosophers who achieved significant success in constructing philosophical systems followed this path.
The selection of this series prioritizes the prominence of the philosophical thoughts of these scholars, giving equal weight to masterpieces and notable works. The selection aims to differ from existing collections, reflecting the editors' unique (vision) and organizational approach. Thus, this series not only highlights the contributions of these scholars to the creation and research of 20th-century Chinese philosophy but also features the editors' distinctive interpretations.
In the past two decades, academic research on contemporary Neo-Confucianism in mainland China has yielded remarkable achievements. This research began with China's reform and opening-up. After the doors were opened, scholars from overseas, 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 lies in the reflection of mainland scholars on the harm caused by the May Fourth Movement and the Cultural Revolution to traditional culture and the heritage of their own nation, leading to a re-examination of the relationship between tradition and modernity.