Selected Works of Tang Yongtong / Classic Writings of Peking University Philosophy Gate

Author: Chen Lai
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-01-01
Features: This book reviews the achievements of the classics of 20th-century philosophy, with two points particularly prominent: , the philosophical research of modern Chinese philosophy is invariably based on the background of Western philosophy and its developmental history. It goes without saying for scholars who returned from studying abroad in Europe and America. Even for scholars with traditional characteristics such as Liang Shuming and Xiong Shili, their philosophical awareness has been 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 stipulation of what constitutes philosophy, it has become the foundation of the modern philosophical discipline. Studying Western philosophy can provide an important method with universal significance for researching other philosophies. In-depth understanding of Western philosophy and other philosophies in the world will promote 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, from today onwards, could faithfully introduce the thoughts of North America or Eastern Europe, the result would be tantamount to the Yogacara studies of Xuanzang," which could neither occupy a high position in the history of our thought nor ultimately perish. Those who could truly achieve a systematic and innovative philosophical system must, on the one hand, absorb and introduce foreign doctrines, and on the other hand, not forget the position of their own nation. These two attitudes that are both contrary and complementary are the true spirit of Taoism, the old path of Neo-Confucianism, and what two thousand years of our nation's intellectual contact with other ethnic groups has revealed." Xiong Shili's New Yi Studies, Liang Shuming's Neo-Confucianism, Feng Youlan's New Rationalism, He Lin's New Mind Studies, Jin Yulan's New Realism, and Zhang Dainian's New Materialism all consciously connect with classical Chinese philosophy to varying degrees and combine with the practical aspects of Chinese cultural traditions. All the Chinese philosophers who achieved great success in constructing philosophical systems in the 20th century were like this. The selection of this series emphasizes the philosophical thoughts of these scholars, giving equal weight to masterpieces and notable works. The selection aims to differ from existing collections, reflecting the unique editorial perspective and arrangement, thereby highlighting the contributions of these scholars to the creation and research of 20th-century Chinese philosophy while also offering the series editors' unique interpretations. In the past two decades, the 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. Of course, this is only an external factor. The internal reason is that mainland scholars reflected on the harm caused by the May Fourth Movement to "Cultural Revolution" to traditional culture and the cultural heritage of our nation, and rethought the relationship between tradition and modernity.