Humanistic Quest: A Comparative Analysis of the Thoughts of Prominent Contemporary Chinese and American Scholars (Collected Works of Lin Tongqi)

Author: Lin Tongqi
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-10-01
Features: Not every historian is fortunate enough to have their work receive insightful and thorough analysis, and beyond that, it is not uncommon for these works to be examined with precision and persuasiveness within the broader historiographical currents of their time. Historians themselves, of course, cannot achieve this. To do so requires not only an outsider's perspective but, if possible, also an insider's empathetic understanding. And Lin Tongqi is the ideal person to do this for me. Among contemporary scholars, he may be the one who best embodies the advantage of combining the perspective of an outsider with that of an insider. — Paul A. Cohen
He is deeply passionate about intellectual exploration. For him, it seems difficult to stop thinking, to cease refining his thoughts. Mr. Lin seems to be more concerned with the act of thinking itself than with publishing his thoughts. Mr. Lin's relentless intellectual teaching: "To know what you know and what you do not know is true knowledge." Although he is knowledgeable in many areas, he writes with great caution, never venturing beyond his own scope of expertise. — Lin Weiming
Your paper accurately, meticulously, and profoundly grasps the issue, demonstrating your intellectual and academic prowess. Some theorists here possess only a black-and-white, linear way of thinking, which is why they can never reveal the truth of the matter or write articles with depth. I hope your article can inspire our intellectual circles, have a beneficial impact on some scholars, and if everyone reads it carefully and thoughtfully. — Wang Yuanhua to Lin Tongqi
As a personal collection, this book reflects the author's intellectual journey over the past two decades. While this process cannot be said to be entirely conscious, it is subtly guided by a pursuing goal that sets the direction of exploration. I attempt to summarize this pursuing goal as "Humanistic Seeking." In this sense, this book can be seen as a record of the footsteps left by Humanistic Seeking, hence the title "A Record of Humanistic Seeking."
Indeed, this seeking encompasses both the material and institutional aspects of culture and involves metaphysical and religious realms, but its focus remains firmly on human beings. Its core is the questioning of humanity. However, as everyone knows, humans must and can only draw knowledge and values from the culture of the group they grow up in to enrich themselves. Otherwise, not only will they struggle to survive, but even if they do survive, they will be mere shells or "empty vessels." (Therefore,) Humanistic Seeking must necessarily include both the seeking of humanity and the seeking of culture. The reshaping of the Chinese national spirit is also inevitably intertwined with where cultures of different nations are heading, inseparable.
The several American scholars and thinkers discussed in this book, from their respective research fields (such as literature, history, philosophy, anthropology, and American studies), address these questions and concerns from their own perspectives. In fact, they are all representative figures of humanism in their respective fields in contemporary America. I believe that Humanistic Seeking is not only the pursuit of many scholars in mainland China and myself but also the pursuit of the American scholars introduced in this book. In other words, the problem consciousness swirling in the minds of scholars on both sides of the Pacific is intertwined and overlapping. In fact, it is precisely this intersection and overlap that attracted me and drove me to study their thoughts. This study can essentially be seen as a multi-faceted, cross-cultural intellectual dialogue centered around several specific issues within the same overarching problem consciousness.