Fourth Approach (Macro-comprehensive Research on Several Issues in Western Ethics)

Author: Yang Fang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-09-01
Features: When historical research reaches a certain depth, reflection on research methodology enters the academic field. Researchers often ask themselves: What approach is most suitable? The answer to this question depends on various factors, including the current state of their discipline, their own academic capabilities, and the research topic they choose. The achievements of different approaches all hold academic value, but the academic value of these achievements varies. Therefore, an ambitious researcher must treat the choice of approach as a preliminary academic question with careful consideration. This book is the final outcome of the National Philosophy and Social Sciences Fund Project, "The Fourth Approach—Macro-comprehensive Research on Several Issues in Western Ethics." The author adopts the fourth approach—macro-comprehensive research, differing from case studies, comparative studies (mainly element-comparative studies), and historical research—to conduct an in-depth and systematic exploration of several issues in Western ethics. This includes the scope of Western ethics, historical periods, formal characteristics, fundamental spirit, research perspectives and examination perspectives, main types, important schools, the appropriate perspective for contemporary Chinese ethics academia to accept Western ethics, the inspiration of Western ethics for the construction of contemporary Chinese ethical culture, and the research on Western ethics by 20th-century Chinese scholars. The book elucidates some noteworthy viewpoints.