Classics of Philosophy from Peking University (Selected Works of Tang Yongtong)

Author: Chen Lai, Editor-in-Chief; Tang Yutong, Author
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-05-01
Features: This book reviews the achievements of 20th-century philosophical classics, with two points being particularly prominent. , the philosophical research of modern Chinese philosophy is invariably referenced against the backdrop of Western philosophy and its developmental history. Needless to say, scholars who studied abroad in Europe and America; even those with traditional characteristics, such as Liang Shuming and Xiong Shili, were profoundly influenced by Western philosophical concepts. Western philosophy is an exquisite representation of rational analysis and construction in human wisdom. Although the form of Western philosophy is special, many of its discussions possess universality. While the discourse of Western philosophy is not the fundamental stipulation of what constitutes philosophy, it has become the foundation of the modern philosophical discipline. Studying Western philosophy provides an important method with universal significance for researching other philosophies. Moreover, an in-depth understanding of Western philosophy and other philosophies around the world will enable us to gain a deeper insight into our own philosophical traditions. Second, the creation of modern Chinese philosophical systems must establish a positive connection with the resources of traditional Chinese philosophy. As Chen Yinque said, "I suspect that if China were to faithfully import the thoughts of North America or Eastern Europe in the future, the result would be no different from the Yogacara studies of Xuanzang," which could neither occupy a high position in our intellectual history nor ultimately persist. Those who could truly achieve self-consistent systems and make original contributions in thought must, on one hand, absorb and import external doctrines, while on the other hand, not forget the position of their own nation. These two attitudes—contrary yet complementary—are the true spirit of Taoism, the old path of Neo-Confucianism, and what two thousand years of intellectual contact between our nation and others has revealed." Xiong Shili's New Yi Studies, Liang Shuming's Neo-Confucianism, Feng Youlan's New Rationalism, He Lin's New Mind Studies, Jin Yulan's New Realism, and Zhang Dainian's New Materialism all consciously connect with classical Chinese philosophy to varying degrees and integrate with the practical aspects of Chinese cultural traditions. All the Chinese philosophers who achieved remarkable success in constructing philosophical systems in the 20th century followed this path. The selection of this series prioritizes the highlighting of their philosophical thoughts, giving equal weight to masterpieces and notable works. The selection aims to differ from existing collections, reflecting the unique editorial and creative arrangement of the compilers. Thus, this series not only emphasizes the contributions of these scholars to the creation and research of 20th-century Chinese philosophy but also features the unique interpretations of the series' compilers. In the past two decades, academic circles in mainland China have made remarkable achievements in researching contemporary Neo-Confucianism. This research began with China's reform and opening-up. After the doors were opened, scholars from overseas, primarily overseas Chinese scholars, followed by scholars from Hong Kong and Taiwan, came to mainland China to lecture. Subsequently, their papers and works were gradually introduced. Of course, this was only an external factor. The internal reason lies in the reflection of mainland scholars on the harm inflicted by the May Fourth Movement and the Cultural Revolution on traditional culture and the heritage of their own nation, leading to a re-examination of the relationship between tradition and modernity.