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Prof. Zhang Xianglong On Traditional
Chinese Culture
PKU NEWS 2005--11-28
http://ennews.pku.edu.cn/news.php?s=133271249
Peking University, Beijing, November 28th,2005: Prof. Zhang Xianglong gave a
lecture on traditional Chinese culture in the Zhibeizi Garden on the afternoon of
November 25th.
Prof. Zhang began the lecture with a definition of culture: culture is a living thing with
its own history and soul. Traditional Chinese culture is defined as characteristic of
Confucianism. He proposed four aspects in judging whether a culture is alive: first,
whether there are those who devote themselves to passing on the culture; second,
whether the social structure on which it depends still exists; third, whether its basic
values still influence people‘s vital choices; fourth, whether its unique language is still
living in people‘s expressions of feelings and ideas. Judging from that, Prof. Zhang
concluded that traditional Chinese culture characterized by Confucianism has
plunged into a dangerous situation.
Prof. Zhang said that the western language and culture, with its distinct forms, is
spreading rapidly and accepted widely. Since the Opium War, Chinese people have
started to learn from the west, but the radical reforms have also been destructive to
traditional Chinese culture. Focusing exclusively on freedom and democracy and
casting away all the traditional ideas of Chinese culture will end up in undermining
the development of China. Since the opening and reform, China has accepted
western thoughts and science in a more comprehensive manner. Confucianism can
hardly sprout in this new age.
―Don‘t put all the eggs in one basket.‖ said Prof. Zhang, suggesting that China should
not be oriented solely towards economic development. Like the establishment of
―one China, two systems‖, China can also adopt ―one China, multiple systems‖ in
culture and set up ―protect zone‖ for traditional culture.
This lecture is among the series of activities themed by
― society•culture•mind‖, which once was the decade-long cultural
festival held by the Dept. of Philosophy. Prof. Zhang is the second lecturer after the
famous Prof. Lou Yulie.
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