Selected Works of Zhang Dainian / 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 of modern Chinese philosophy is invariably based on the background of Western philosophy and its developmental history. It goes without saying that scholars who returned from studying abroad in Europe and America are influenced by Western philosophy. Even scholars with strong traditional characteristics, such as Liang Shuming and Xiong Shili, were profoundly influenced by Western philosophical concepts. Western philosophy represents the exquisite embodiment 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 may not be the fundamental stipulation of what constitutes philosophy, it has become the foundation of modern philosophy. Studying Western philosophy can provide an important and universally meaningful method for researching other philosophies. An in-depth understanding of Western philosophy and other philosophies in the world will enhance 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 school of Xuanzang." In the history of our nation's thought, it cannot occupy a high position and will ultimately decline. Those who can truly achieve self-consistency in thought and make original contributions must, on one hand, absorb and introduce external doctrines, and on the other hand, not forget the position of their own nation. These two attitudes, which are both contrary 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 School, Liang Shuming's New Confucianism, Feng Youlan's New Rationalism, He Lin's New Mindology, Jin Yulan's New Realism, and Zhang Dainian's New Materialism all consciously connect with Chinese classical philosophy to varying degrees and integrate with the actual Chinese cultural tradition. All the Chinese philosophers who achieved remarkable success in constructing philosophical systems in the 20th century were the same. The selection of this series emphasizes the philosophical thoughts of these scholars, giving equal weight to masterpieces and notable works. The selection aims to differ from existing collections, reflecting the unique and arrangement of the editors, thereby 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 on the mainland of 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 the mainland 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 the mainland 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. Zhang Dainian (1909-2004), styled Jitong, also known as Yutong. Born in Beijing in May 1909, his original hometown was Xian County, Hebei Province. His father, Zhang Lian, was a jinshi (imperial scholar) in the Guangxu era (1903) and served as a compiler in the Hanlin Academy. His older brother, Zhang Songnian, was a modern Chinese philosopher who greatly influenced Zhang Dainian's choice of academic path. In 1928, Zhang Dainian enrolled at Tsinghua University but soon dropped out and applied to the Education Department of Beijing Normal University, where he was admitted. In 1933, upon graduating from university, he was appointed as a teaching assistant in the Department of Philosophy at Tsinghua University, where he engaged in teaching philosophy. After the July 7 Incident, Tsinghua University moved south, and he remained in Beijing, writing books in seclusion. In 1943, he taught at the private China University as a lecturer in philosophy. After the war, in 1946, Tsinghua University reopened, and he returned to work in the Department of Philosophy at Tsinghua University. In 1951, he was promoted to professor. In 1952, during the nationwide adjustment of higher education institutions, he was transferred to the Department of Philosophy at Peking University, where he continued his work in teaching and researching Chinese philosophy. This book is selected and compiled into three parts: philosophical theory, the history of Chinese philosophy, and cultural studies. The content of each part is arranged in chronological order based on the time of writing or publication. This arrangement highlights the main academic achievements of Mr. Zhang as a philosopher, philosopher of history, and master of Chinese classics for the readers. Due to space limitations, this selected collection only includes the most representative papers of Mr. Zhang from different periods, while his monographs, except for Tian Ren Wu Lun, can only include the most essential parts. Some monographs, such as A Concise History of Chinese Materialist Thought and The Sources of the History of Chinese Philosophy, are not included. This is done to provide readers with a comprehensive understanding of Mr. Zhang's life and his main academic achievements.