Zhuangzi: A Reading

Author: Fang Yong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-09-01
Features: China has had a strong awareness of humanistic classics since ancient times. On one hand, there are rich and diverse cultural classics passed down through generations in the traditional literature (which is rare in world culture). On the other hand, there is a long-standing tradition of continuous study and recitation of classics by scholars over thousands of years (which is also rare in world history). Due to the abolition of the imperial examinations, the promotion of new education, the New Culture Movement, and the need to establish a new national state, as well as the turmoil and instability of China in the 20th century, this tradition was forced to break. However, in recent years, there seems to be a new opportunity for survival and continuity. The direct driving forces are, on one hand, the top-down advocacy of vigorously promoting and nurturing national spirit, and on the other hand, more importantly, the bottom-up push by civil society forces and some intellectuals for another "revival of traditional culture," particularly manifested in new explorations in spontaneous socio-cultural education, different from the cultural critique of the 1980s that focused on theoretical debates. For example, the implementation of children's classic recitation activities in various regions, traditional culture studies in some folk academies, private schools and emerging rural academies, the restoration of learning traditional classics, and the establishment of new systems in some universities. The reasons for this era are superficially related to China's economic vitality and peaceful rise in the past decade, but in fact, they are much more complex. At least the following can be mentioned: the new problems and urgency in social life caused by the moral crisis and meaninglessness in the transitional society; the competition and interaction of various ideas worldwide; the rapid loss of humanistic spirit in civil society in the context of global economic integration and a technology-dominated society; against this backdrop, the cultural characteristics of the younger generation in China are rapidly disappearing; the drawbacks brought by cultural radicalism in modern Chinese thought history are gradually becoming apparent; the self-logic of Chinese culture's suffering and revival, as well as cultural awakening; and a new perspective that starts from empiricism, from social problems, and practically integrates various ideological and cultural resources to benefit comprehensive social and human development. In summary, on one hand, there are important new opportunities, and on the other hand, there are unprecedented crises. Given their complexity and diversity, we should not cling to old dualistic thinking, should not insist on conceptual and theoretical disputes, should not think about the construction of cultural thought in a single way, but should start from the practice of life, refine new awareness of issues based on the changing connotations of our times, respond to the true needs of society, and recognize the learning of traditional classics. Therefore, I am delighted to support this series of books. In the current context where Chinese culture is facing unprecedented new opportunities as well as unprecedented crises, East China Normal University Press is willing to take on some social responsibilities, which reflects their vision, insight, and courage. If more publishing houses and cultural institutions are willing to support the preservation and cultivation of traditional culture, the revival of Chinese culture holds hope. This is the preface.