Difference Volume 1

Author: Jin Huimin, Editor-in-Chief
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-09-01
Features: The Difference advocates the "New Dialogue" doctrine, which emphasizes both "seeking common ground" and "preserving differences." It does not suppress differences in the pursuit of common ground but views it as "understanding." Therefore, the dialogue we refer to is about understanding differences, tolerating differences, allowing differences to become the living spring of our thoughts, and making differences our mirror for life. From the perspective of the New Dialogue doctrine, the "subject-oriented" nature of German philosophy must be rewritten as "inter-subjectivity," because only by achieving mutual otherness and mutual subjectivity can true realization be achieved. Otherwise, it is no different from grasping the moon at the root of the tree. Confucius' "Overcoming oneself and restoring rituals is benevolence"—does this not capture the essence of it? The New Dialogue doctrine of The Difference merely illustrates a fundamental academic principle—"Let a hundred flowers bloom, let a hundred schools of thought contend." However, this cannot stop at its purely methodological significance but should rather be elevated to an ontological level. Differences are, after all, the ecology of the world. As a method, the purpose of difference is to ensure that this world retains its original ecological state.