Science or Humanities: The Dilemma of Cultural Orientation in Modern China

Author: Qin Yingjun
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-05-01
Features: Since modern times, Chinese culture has faced unprecedented challenges and choices. Should it opt for scientism or humanism? Over the past century, debates on this cultural orientation have never ceased. Examining the historical trajectory of China's cultural orientation over the past century, reflecting on the pros and cons of its choices, properly handling the relationship between science and humanity, and thereby clarifying the future direction of Chinese culture have become hot topics for scholars both at home and abroad in recent years. The central theme of the book is science and humanity. I remember the renowned modern scholar Wang Guowei saying, "To know something is credible but not love it, or to feel something is lovable but not believe it—this is the greatest torment of life."② Isn't this "lovable" and "credible" the very science-humanity (philosophy) discussed in this book? Wang Guowei eventually drowned in the Kunming Lake of the Summer Palace, troubled by this dilemma. Ah, this cursed "metaphysics" and "materialism" led such a distinguished figure to take his own life (there are many theories about Wang Guowei's suicide, but this is not the place to discuss them). Since modern times in China, the dilemma of choosing between science and humanity has passed. The 20th century must offer some lessons for the 21st century, which is the purpose of writing this book. The process of the opposition and integration of Eastern and Western cultures has entered the 21st century, yet concerns and debates about scientific culture and humanistic culture still perplex people. Science or humanity? From comparing East and West to transcending East and West, human civilization has always followed the pattern where the advanced leads the backward, and then the backward surpasses the advanced. It is hoped that the era of transcendence for Chinese culture will arrive soon.