Zhang Taiyan

Author: Hebei Education Press
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 1996-10-01
Features: The academic thought of a nation is the spiritual light of that nation. The activities of academic elites in a specific era often contain a vast amount of information that transcends that era. At the turn of the century, China urgently needs to gain forward-looking thinking through reflection on the past and understanding the present. The modern Chinese academia, which began around 1900, absorbed new concepts popular at the time and initiated the exchange and dialogue between Chinese and Western academia. Based on the recognition of the value of academia itself, scholars developed a conscious demand for academic independence. From Yan Fu's translated works, which mark an important milestone in the beginning of modern Chinese academia, a large number of scholars, at the intersection of tradition and modernity, constructed a dual character of enduring value and timely relevance, with pioneering and exemplary significance. These classic works shine in the brilliant sky of Chinese academia, becoming an important source of inspiration for today's students to capture academic and intellectual insights. This series collects classic works of enduring significance by modern academic giants such as Yan Fu, Kang Youwei, Liang Qichao, Zhang Taiyan, Wang Guowei, Hu Shih, Jin Yuelin, Gu Jiegang, Feng Youlan, Chen Yuan, Li Ji, Xiong Shili, Lu Xun, Wu Mi, Wu Mei, Chen Shizeng, Zhang Junmai, Fang Dongmei, Tang Junyi, Liao Ping, Meng Wentong, Tang Yongtong, Cai Yuanpei, Yang Shudu, Yu Jiaxi, Zhao Yuanren, Qian Jibo, Ma Yifu, Guo Moruo, Tai Xu, Yang Wenhui, Ou Yangxi, Lü Cheng, Fu Sinian, Dong Zuobin, Hong Ye, Yang Lian, Luo Zhenyu, and Chen Yinque, among others. These works not only showcase the monumental achievements of modern Chinese academia that can be celebrated for generations but also provide spiritual nourishment for the Chinese nation aspiring to a brighter future and greater leaps. For convenience of reading, each volume includes a brief biography of the author at the beginning and an academic chronology and bibliography of the author at the end. Mr. Zhang Taiyan was indeed a giant of modern times, with an unparalleled influence on both academia and revolution. The works collected in this volume, in addition to his major works On the Nature of the State (Guogu Lunheng) and Refutation of the Book of Errors (Jiu Shu), also include numerous essays such as Interpretation of the Principle of Non-Duality (Qiwulun Shiben), Thoughts of Hometown (Sikang Yuan), and On Credibility (Xinying Lun). On the Nature of the State is a monumental work that systematically analyzes and organizes classical Chinese culture, starting from studies in philology, literature, and the school of the Masters. On Examination (Jian Lun), a revised and expanded version of Refutation of the Book of Errors, is an early academic and political essay collection by the great thinker Zhang Binglin, primarily exploring the essence of Chinese studies, articulating intellectual insights, promoting anti-Qing revolution, and advocating social reform. Zhang Binglin explained that the meaning of Refutation of the Book of Errors was to express urgent words in a dire social environment, hence Refutation of the Book of Errors primarily addresses the conditions and realities of modern China, aiming to awaken the urgency and sense of crisis among the nation to save it from peril. The publication of Refutation of the Book of Errors provided the historical basis and practical theoretical weapons for the Chinese democratic revolutionaries, earning it the reputation of "combatant writings" during the period of the old democratic revolution in China. Zhang Taiyan (1869–1936), styled Taiyan, was originally named Binglin, later changed to Xuecheng, and used the courtesy name Meishu. He later took the name Jiang and styled himself Taiyan, a native of Yu in Zhejiang. He was a democratic revolutionary, thinker, and renowned scholar in the late Qing and early Republican era, achieving notable accomplishments in philology, history, philosophy, and politics. In 1897, he joined Shiwu Bao as a contributor but was persecuted and fled to Japan due to his involvement in the reform movement. Later, he accepted Sun Yat-sen's democratic revolutionary platform, refuting Kang Youwei's of opposing revolution with preservation of the monarchy and advocating for reform through ancient tradition, and instead promoting democratic revolution. In 1900, he cut his queue. In 1903, he was arrested for publishing Refutation of Kang Youwei on Revolution and writing a preface for Zou Rong's The Revolution Army (the famous "Suhou Incident"). After his release in 1906, he went to Japan to edit the Min Bao, the organ of the Tongmenghui, engaging in long-term debates with the reformists. After Shanghai's liberation in 1911, he returned to China, edited Da Gonghe Ribao, and served as an advisor to President Sun Yat-sen in the Presidential Palace. In 1913, after the assassination of Song Jiaoren, he joined the movement to depose Yuan Shikai and was imprisoned by Yuan (as mentioned and praised by Lu Xun in Some Notes on Mr. Zhang Taiyan). After Yuan's death, he was released. In 1917, he left the Kuomintang and established the Zhang School of National Studies in Suzhou, dedicating himself to teaching. In 1935, he presided over the Zhang School of National Studies in Suzhou and edited the Zhi Yan magazine. In 1936, Mr. Zhang Taiyan passed away in Suzhou. In his early years, Mr. Zhang Taiyan accepted Western modern mechanical materialism and the theory of biological evolution, incorporating many new ideas and content from Western philosophy, sociology, and natural sciences into his works. For example, in his monumental work Refutation of the Book of Errors, he argued that "qi and spirit are the substance of things" and that "their wisdom is not derived from qi"; he also declared that "Heaven and God do not exist," denying the doctrine of divine mandate. In literature, historiography, and linguistics, Mr. Zhang Taiyan also made significant contributions, with works such as New Folklore, The Origin and Development of Language (Wenshi), and Answers to Questions in Philology exploring the origins of language and its evolution with numerous innovative insights. His works on Confucianism include New Confucianism (Ruxue Xinlun) and Rectification of Confucius (Ding Kong). Works such as Refutation of the Book of Errors, On the Nature of the State, Interpretation of the Principle of Non-Duality, The Origin and Development of Language, and On Examination all had a profound impact on academia. His writings were published in Zhang's Series and Continuation of Zhang's Series, with his posthumous manuscripts included in Third Edition of Zhang's Series.