Archives of Peking University News - PKU English - 北京大学

北京大学英语新闻网/Peking University News
faculties. He talked about academic morale and scholar‘s ethical standards. He
warned that opportunistic attitude seen in commercial world has invaded the
academic circle where some scholars have forgotten the mission of academic
research by seeking quick results or pleasing the public. Some even lost basic
academic moral standards by committing plagiarism in exchange for fast fame.
Professor Yuan condemned such behavior as ―academic suicide‖ and called for
ethical academic image and honorable scholar conduct. In remarks given at a PKU
liberal arts forum in the fall of 2002, Professor Yuan again spoke on the issue of
multi-polarization and independence, in the context of economic globalization and
cultural development. He pointed out that while economic globalization profoundly
affected the progress of human cultural development, it should not and could not
lead to extinction of the unique characteristics of national cultures. What come along
with the arrival of economic globalization will not be the arrival of a single unified
global culture, nor cultural clashes, but the prosperity of multi-cultures and the
independence of each individual culture. All conscientious scholars should shoulder
the task of making the gift of culture in seeking a harmonious coexistence of different
civilizations. He welcomed wide-ranging and in-depth cultural exchanges along with
the economic globalization, and believed that the Chinese civilization should take
more initiatives in moving toward the world. This speech, following his ―Making the
Gift of Culture‖, provides further strategic thinking for China‘s cultural development.
One of the most valuable deeds during this period of social activities was Professor
Yuan‘s speech given on March 8th, 2003 to a Plenary Session of the Political
Consultation Committee, titled ―Suggestions on Enhancing Philosophy and Social
Science Research‖. In the summer of the previous year, Party Secretary-General
Jiang Zemin had met with experts of national defense technology, philosophy and
social science, and spoken on the significance of research in these areas. Professor
Yuan was among the experts at the meeting. Based on his own research experience
as well as the essence of Jiang‘s remarks, Professor Yuan now proposed the
following specific suggestions on strengthening the research in philosophy and
social sciences: to establish a management system that is appropriate for philosophy
and social sciences and their development, which is a long term process that relies
upon knowledge and wisdom of previous generations. Because of the area‘s heavy
reliance upon accumulation and the slow pace in information renewal, the innovative
research tends to be controversial, difficult to obtain acceptance by the general
public, and takes a longer time for any validation. As such, it is critical to prevent
shortsighted conduct for wanting a fast benefit or success. Professor Yuan also
advocated organized inter-disciplinary researches, including inter-disciplinary
studies among subject areas within the philosophy and social sciences as well as
those between the humanities and the natural science subjects. He recommended
setting forth key projects on a national level -- similar to those that were done in the
area of natural sciences, and he proposed to achieve this by concentrating both
human and financial resources in solving the most important issues that have
significant practical implications and theoretical values. Professor Yuan called for
765