Classics of 20th Century Philosophy · Chinese Philosophy Volume

Author: Chief Editor: Xu Hongxing
Publisher:
Publishing Date: April 1, 2005
Features: Excerpt: In the beginning. What they obtained as the principles of public example is seen everywhere to the extreme, and cannot be shaken again. However, what our ancients obtained often preceded them, and this is not the talk of flattering oneself. I will try to cite some undeniable truths to challenge the world. As for Western learning, what is practical and can be used as a principle to govern changes is the study of the four elements: name, number, quality, and force. While my Book of Changes takes name and number as the warp, and quality and force as the weft, and combines them to call it the Book of Changes. In the vast universe, quality and force push against each other; without quality, force cannot be seen, and without force, quality cannot be presented. All force is the "Qian" (Heaven), and all quality is the "Kun" (Earth). Newton's three laws of motion include one that states: "A stationary object does not move by itself, and a moving object does not stop by itself; the path of motion must be straight, and the speed must be uniform." This is the extraordinary thought of ancient times. Since this principle was established, the study of astronomy after birth has become clear, and human affairs have benefited. However, the Book of Changes says: "Qian is specialized when still, and straight when moving." Two hundred years later, there was a man named Spencer who spoke of the natural evolution of the universe, wrote books, and created theories, unifying heaven, earth, and humanity under one principle. This is also a remarkable work of recent times. His definition of evolution is: "Convergence combines quality, and divergence releases force, starting simple and ending mixed." While the Book of Changes says: "Kun is convergent when still, and divergent when moving." As for the theory that total force does not increase or decrease, there is the concept of "constant self-strengthening" that precedes it; and the idea that all movement must return, there is the principle of "message and transformation" at its beginning. Moreover, the idea that "the changes of the Book of Changes are invisible, and Qian and Kun are almost at rest" is particularly in line with the saying that "when heat and force reach equilibrium, heaven and earth will perish." How can this be called mere coincidence? However, based on this reasoning, to claim that what they understood was all known in China beforehand, or even that their learning was all derived from the East, would be a self-imposed ignorance that ignores the facts. The ancients started the discussion, but later generations could not complete it; the ancients grasped the broad strokes, but later generations could not discuss the subtleties, just like an uneducated and unenlightened people. Even if ancestors were sages, how could they save the ignorance of their descendants? Generally speaking, ancient books are difficult to read, especially in China. For two thousand years, scholars pursued profit and status, clinging to fragments of knowledge without original thoughts. Therefore, those born today turn to Western learning to recognize the utility of the ancient. This can be understood by the wise, but difficult to explain to the ignorant. As the trend gradually spreads, scholars know shame of narrow-mindedness. The study of Western learning is becoming more widespread. However, there are still a few giants who firmly believe that what they excel at does not go beyond the trivialities of figures and numbers; and what they pursue does not exceed the realm of profit and gain. They speak at will, without consulting the facts. When discussing national affairs and reflecting on oneself, they are far from this. The purpose of this book by Huxley is to correct the excesses of Spencer's belief in leaving things to nature. Much of what he discusses aligns with the understanding of our ancients. Moreover, he repeatedly emphasizes the importance of self-strengthening and preserving the species. The scorching heat of summer is like a year, so I translated it for you. If there are those who criticize it for being full of empty words and lacking practical policy, then I am not concerned with it. September 9, 1896, by Yan Fu