Contemporary Chinese Academic Debates: The Qian Mu Works Series

Author: Qian Mu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-03-01
Features: The author provides a concise overview of new disciplines in modern Chinese academia, such as religion, philosophy, science, psychology, history, archaeology, education, political science, sociology, literature, art, and music. From a comparative perspective of China and the West, he highlights the fundamental difference between Chinese and Western art, as well as thought and culture, which lies in "China emphasizes harmony and integration, while the West emphasizes separation and independence." Additionally, he returns each modern discipline to its traditional roots, pointing out their inherent connections and mutual strengths and weaknesses, thereby revealing that "Chinese and Western, old and new, have both differences and similarities, and can still be integrated and understood." The author adopts a broad perspective while also providing specific arguments to deeply and clearly analyze the complex situation and future direction of modern Chinese academia. This compilation is divided into twelve sections: religion, philosophy, science, psychology, history, archaeology, education, political science, sociology, literature, art, and music. The names of these sections are either traditionally used in China or newly translated. Based on my limited understanding from ancient texts, I present the differences and similarities between Chinese and Western, old and new, and demonstrate that they can still be integrated and understood.