Text · Interpretation · Tradition: The Modern Transformation of China's Interpretive Tradition: The Modern Transformation of China's Interpretive Tradition

Author: Pan Derong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-10-01
Features: Since ancient times, China has placed great emphasis on annotating and interpreting classics, including later translations and interpretations of Buddhist scriptures. However, it has been relatively neglectful of systematic and in-depth research on interpretation phenomena to promote the modern transformation of traditional Chinese interpretation theory. This is a scholarly exploration of great academic value. This book is a work that elaborates on the Chinese tradition of interpretation and conducts comparative research on Chinese and Western hermeneutics. The author, grounded in China's language, script, and textual tradition, analyzes and organizes the characteristics of the interpretive tradition of the I Ching, Zhu Xi's interpretive theory, and modern interpretive theories of Cheng Chung-ying and Paul R. Viereck, among others, outlining the fundamental conditions and features of ancient and modern Chinese interpretation for the readers. Through comparative research, the author reveals the fundamental differences in methodology between Chinese and Western interpretive traditions in understanding. They are based on language-centricism and script-centricism, respectively, and have thereby established the philosophy of listening and the philosophy of viewing. These insightful observations lay a foundation for further research in this field.