National Revival: The Academic Foundation

Author: Zhang Junmai
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-09-01
Features: In 1923, Zhang Junmai published "View of Life," which sparked the famous "Science and Life View Debate" (also known as the "Science and Metaphysics Debate") in the history of modern thought. The issues addressed in this debate—such as the relationship between science and humanities, knowledge and values—are important topics for modern philosophy to resolve. During the debate, Zhang Junmai was criticized by Ding Wenjiang as a "metaphysician," a label that was, in fact, a profound misunderstanding of Zhang. Before and after the debate, Zhang Junmai vigorously advocated the establishment and promotion of scientific research in China at the time. His insights were far beyond the understanding of his contemporaries, leading to this misunderstanding. More than a decade after the debate, "The Academic Foundation for the National Revival" was published. This book collects over twenty articles written by Zhang Junmai between 1931 and 1935, summarizing his intellectual journey over the ten years following the outbreak of the debate. These writings can be seen as Zhang Junmai expressing his pain and reflections from the debate in a deeper exposition of the scientific spirit and a clear perspective on the cultural direction of the Chinese nation at a critical juncture. Reading this book today provides an important opportunity to reassess the overall academic thought of Zhang Junmai. From this case of misunderstanding in the history of modern academic thought, one can perhaps see the overall intellectual trends of the time and the admirable and respectable dedication of Zhang Junmai to his academic beliefs.