On Humanity and Human Liberation -- From the Series "Learning New Knowledge"

Author: Zhou Fucheng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1997-12-01
Features: Throughout history, both in the East and the West, it has been said that reason is the treasure that distinguishes humans from animals (although great biologist Darwin and others have provided examples to prove that higher animals already possess early human reason. See the book The Descent of Man). With reason, humans become knowledgeable and able to use tools. However, the reason or unique rationality created by humans, these tools, are not a "cure-all" or all-powerful. They cannot eliminate the "animalistic savagery," and sometimes they even make "human savagery" even more severe than animal savagery. Moreover, when humans commit these cruel acts, they often cite references and write long, eloquent speeches, justifying their actions as entirely righteous! It is clear that while reason and theory have brought benefits to humans, bringing culture or civilization, they have also made humans, in their cruelty, even more cruel than animals or beasts! It is worth noting that the articles selected for this book were published over a span of about 60 years, and some have been slightly adjusted in wording to consider the reading habits of contemporary readers, but their theoretical significance remains unchanged.