Why are Chinese people so stupid: How should Chinese people become smart in the 21st century

Author: Li Ming
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-10-01
Features: The author recently published two books, one titled The Death of Western Philosophy! and the other, this book, Why Are Chinese People So Stupid?. Laozi once said in the Tao Te Ching, "He who knows others is wise; he who knows himself is enlightened; he who conquers others is strong; he who conquers himself is powerful." The ancient Greek philosopher Socrates also taught people to "know thyself," following the Delphic Oracle's pronouncement. The Death of Western Philosophy! is the author's preliminary conclusion drawn from an examination of modern Western philosophy and the nature of modern Western people from the perspective of "knowing others." Why Are Chinese People So Stupid? is the author's preliminary conclusion based on the perspectives of "knowing oneself" and "knowing thyself," examining the ancient Chinese school of human studies and the nature of Chinese people. The first book may upset some Western cultural centrists. Although some Western philosophers have long said, "Western philosophy has come to an end" or "is finished," it is different now that such words are being spoken by a non-Westerner—specifically, a Chinese person—using such extreme language as "dead!" This is emotionally provocative. However, the author believes that most Western scholars, due to their academic freedom and tolerance, will likely remain unfazed and may even enjoy hearing such news. The second book, however, has made the author somewhat worried. Before, Mr. Bai Yang's book The Ugly Chinese! had already provoked the anger of many Chinese compatriots. Today, the author names his own work Why Are Chinese People So Stupid?, and the author does not know what kind of backlash it will bring. But the author then reflects that after more than two decades of reform and opening up, the Chinese people's tolerance for harsh truths has likely grown. Moreover, the author considers himself different from Mr. Bai Yang—he is not just an artist expressing emotions and sentiments but someone who tends to argue and reason, explaining his questions more from the perspective of China's historical roots and the fundamental principles of human nature. Are Chinese people "stupid"? As Chinese people, including the author himself, it is often difficult to admit it. But in the long history of the Chinese people, especially in modern history, their actions and outcomes have indeed been inferior to others (particularly Westerners). Poverty, backwardness, weakness, humiliation in political character, exploitation in economic wealth, and disdain in cultural and academic matters—everything, the author believes, is deeply rooted in the long-term "stupidity" of the Chinese people. To know oneself is to improve oneself. To recognize the "stupidity" of the past and present is precisely to pursue the "intelligence" of the future and tomorrow. The author sincerely hopes that the 21st century will be the century when the Chinese people become increasingly intelligent. In fact, the 21st century has already presented a major opportunity for Chinese people to compete equally with Westerners in intelligence. This major opportunity is that Western philosophy, which has long pushed Westerners to become smarter than other humans, has died at the turn of the 20th century. Western philosophy is dead, and in the new century, humanity will call for the birth of a new school of human studies with a completely new logical foundation. Where will this new fundamental logic first emerge? The author hopes it will first emerge in China, in the Chinese people who have thoroughly recognized the fundamental reasons for their past "stupidity" (or their long struggle to become smart). For this reason, the author dares to write this book for his fellow countrymen. Additionally, this book is partly based on the conclusions of the author's earlier work Questioning Human Nature, combined with some recent writings. It aims to complement and supplement another major work, The Death of Western Philosophy. The Death of Western Philosophy! aims to critique Western cultural traditions, while this book aims to critique Chinese cultural traditions. Critiquing both Chinese and Western cultural traditions aims to integrate them and advance the innovation of global culture in the new century. The author welcomes debate and challenges and hopes to inspire resonance among a broad readership.