Selected Works of Liang Shuming / Classics of Philosophy from Peking University

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. Not to mention scholars who returned from studying abroad in Europe and America, even those with strong 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 are universal. While the discourse of Western philosophy is not the fundamental definition of what philosophy is, it has become the foundation of modern philosophy. Studying Western philosophy can provide an important and universally meaningful method 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 result will be no different from the Yogacara philosophy of Xuanzang," which could neither hold a high position in the history of our thought nor ultimately persist. Those who could truly create a systematic philosophy and achieve original contributions must, on one hand, absorb and introduce external doctrines, while on the other hand, not forget the position of their own nation. These two attitudes, which are both contrasting and complementary, are the true spirit of Taoism, the old path of Neo-Confucianism, and what two thousand years of contact between our nation and other nations' thoughts have 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 were like this. 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 perspective and arrangement, thereby making this series distinctive in highlighting the contributions of these scholars to the creation and research of 20th-century Chinese philosophy, while also offering the editors' unique interpretations. 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, 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 is only an external factor. The internal reason lies in the reflection of mainland scholars on the harm caused by the May Fourth Movement to "Cultural Revolution" to traditional culture and the cultural heritage of our nation, leading to a rethinking of the relationship between tradition and modernity. Liang Shuming (1893—1988), originally named Huan Ding, styled Shou Ming, was from Guilin, Guangxi, and was born in Beijing. He was a modern Chinese scholar, educator, and advocate of the rural construction movement. He proposed three principles for education: school education and social education are inseparable; education should extend to adulthood and even lifelong learning; education should fulfill its role in advancing cultural transformation and social progress. He graduated early from the Beijing Shuntian Middle School. From 1918, he served as a philosophy professor at Peking University. During the May Fourth Movement, he advocated "the philosophy of life." In 1921, he published his famous work "Eastern and Western Cultures and Their Philosophies." In 1928, he took over the management of Guangzhou Middle School to prepare for the establishment of the rural governance lecture hall. During this period, he served as the secretary of the Ministry of Justice of the Nanjing National Government, a member of the Guangzhou Political Committee of the Kuomintang, and the chairman of the Construction Committee of Guangdong Province. He submitted the proposal "Suggestions and Trial Plan for Establishing the Rural Governance Lecture Hall" to the Kuomintang Central Committee, which was approved. He then edited the "Ten Lectures on Rural Governance" for the local gendarmerie in Guangzhou and engaged in "rural construction" activities. In 1929, he organized the "Village Governance Daily" in Beijing. In 1930, he founded the Henan Rural Governance College in Huixian, Henan, and the Shandong Rural Governance Research Institute in Zouping, Shandong, publishing "Rural Governance." After the outbreak of the war of resistance, the rural construction movement was forced to cease. In 1938, he visited Yan'an and had multiple conversations with Mao Zedong. He served as a member of the National Political Council in each term. In 1941, he participated in the founding of the China Democratic League and went to Hong Kong to host the official newspaper "Guangming Daily." By the end of the year, Hong Kong fell, and he moved to Guangxi. In 1945, he served as the secretary of the China Democratic League in Chongqing. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, he served as a member and standing committee member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. He passed away in Beijing in June 1988. His works include "An Introduction to Indian Philosophy," "Eastern and Western Cultures and Their Philosophies," "Theories of Rural Construction," "Collected Essays on Education by Liang Shuming," "Essentials of Chinese Culture," and "Post-Awakening of the Chinese National Self-Salvation Movement."