To the Youth -- My New Outlook on Life Speech

Author: Renmin University
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-02-01
Features: The new philosophy of life does not focus solely on "should," but rather on "cannot"; it does not rely solely on authority or tradition, but instead uses reason to examine the demands of reality and the conditions of survival; it does not focus solely on conscience or moral awareness, but rather on the cultivation of the entire life and its character and demeanor, and establishes an ideal life from experience and habits. Therefore, the new philosophy of life is a dynamic philosophy of life, a creative philosophy of life, and also a philosophy of the great self. This is a collection of speeches by Mr. Luo Jialun, a famous modern Chinese scholar and educator. Modern China was a period of major social transformation and upheaval. The old feudal ethical system collapsed, and a new dominant system had not yet formed. Society lacked faith, and personal values became fragmented, diverse, and uneven. Later, Japanese aggression against China led to the outbreak of the War of Resistance. Internal and external troubles continued to worsen, and the survival of the nation hung by a thread. These speeches were delivered in light of the severe realities and difficult circumstances of the time. The author delivered a series of targeted speeches addressing the issues prevalent among young people at the time, such as the low standards of their philosophy of life, even the absence of one, outdated and even irrational values, and weak moral awareness due to being trapped in various selfish motives. The aim was to call on young people to establish lofty ideals, to establish a scientific philosophy of life and values, to actively engage in practice, and to become people who contribute to the nation and the country. The text of the entire book is fluent, passionate, and brims with a fresh, bright, vivid, and upward-moving spirit. It is more lively than stale preaching and more vibrant than solemn instruction. Moreover, the progressive ideas reflected in most of the chapters in the book retain their shining social value even today.