Beijing University Philosophy Classics: Selected Works of Xiong Shili

Author: Chen Lai
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-05-01
Features: This book reviews the achievements of these 20th-century philosophical classics, with two points being particularly prominent: , the philosophical research in modern Chinese philosophy is invariably based on the background of Western philosophy and its developmental history. It is needless to say for scholars who returned from studying abroad in Europe and America. Even for scholars with strong traditional characteristics, such as Liang Shuming and Xiong Shili, their philosophical problem awareness was 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 on issues are universal. While the discourse of Western philosophy is not the fundamental stipulation that makes philosophy what it is, it has become the foundation of the modern philosophical discipline. Studying Western philosophy can provide an important method with universal significance for researching other philosophies. In-depth understanding of Western philosophy and other philosophies in the world will promote our deeper understanding of 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 Yinke said, "I suspect that if China is able to faithfully introduce the thoughts of North America or Eastern Europe in the future, the results will be equivalent to the Yogacara studies of Xuanzang." In the history of our thoughts, it cannot occupy a high position and will ultimately cease to exist. Those who can truly achieve a systematic and innovative understanding of philosophy on their own must, on the one hand, absorb and introduce external doctrines, and on the other hand, not forget the position of their own nation. These two attitudes that are both contrary and complementary are the true spirit of Taoism, the old path of Neo-Confucianism, and what two thousand years of our nation's intellectual contact with other ethnic groups has revealed." Xiong Shili's New Yi Studies, Liang Shuming's New 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 were like this. The selection of this series emphasizes the philosophical thoughts of these scholars, giving equal weight to famous works and notable essays. The selection aims to differ from existing collections, reflecting the unique editorial perspective and arrangement, thereby highlighting the contributions of these scholars to the creation and research of 20th-century Chinese philosophy while also featuring the unique interpretations of the series' editors. In the past two decades, the 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, overseas scholars, 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 is only the external factor. The internal reason is that scholars in mainland China reflected on the harm caused by the May Fourth Movement to "Cultural Revolution" to traditional culture and the cultural heritage of our nation, and rethought the relationship between tradition and modernity.