A Research On The Philosophical Thought Of Zhang Dainian

Through employing a pluralistic and objective approach, the author of this dissertation intends to conduct an overall and systematic research on Zhang Dainian's philosophical thought with a view to anatomizing and probing the deep and profound implications of his philosophical conceptions, manifesting the inherent logical and theoretical framework of his theories, revealing the permanent value and distinctiveness of his philosophical ideas.Over the past one hundred years, Chinese philosophy underwent its reincarnation upon the great impact of its Western counterpart. Zhang Dainian is both the witness of this process and the active participant in the creative transformation of Chinese philo -sophy. As a Chinese philosopher living in the 20~th century, he must take such issues into account: how to utilize the strengths of Western philosophy, inherit and carry forward the fine tradition of Chinese philosophy in order to create an entirely new type of philosophy. Zhang Dainian has successfully responded to the above challenges. In the transitional period of inheriting the past and ushering the future, he has made insightful reflections and creations in developing Chinese philosophy, which leaves an invaluable legacy for us.Chapter One of present dissertation deals with his educational background, academic connections and his chief contributions. In the pursuit of his true-life experiences, we observe that Zhang is the embodiment of learning and moral integrity, while we gain a panoramic view of his philosophical achievements. The author holds that as a one of the most influential, systematic and unique philosophers in his own style, Zhang Dainian's philosophy is deeply rooted in the soil of traditional Chinese philosophy. He is both the keeper of tradition and a link bridging tradition and future. Chapter Two shows that tradition for Zhang Dainian is like an umbilical cord that can never be cut off. Holding aloft the torch of ancient sages and philosophers is the internal power and motivation of Zhang Dainian's philosophical innovation. From this sense, we can see that his philosophy is of strong national awareness in terms of theoretical form, philosophical proposition and manner of discourse. The constituents shaping Zhang Dainian's philosophy foundation derive from the benevolence theory of Confucius, dialectics of Laozi, change and vigor spirit of the Book of Changes . The three aspects are the endless fountain for Zhang Dainian's philosophical creation, which he has identified with and which he has sought theoretical support and inspiration in constructing his own system, thus tremendously expanding the connotations of his philosophy.By proceeding from the road map of Zhang Dainian's "synthesized creation" in Chapter Three, the author has mainly explored his synthesizing materialism with analytical method, his combining materialism with ideal. In synthesizing materialism with analytical method, Zhang Dainian borrowed heavily from the analytical method of Western philosophy to clear the fuzziness of concepts, paradigms, propositions of traditional Chinese philosophy.As the author holds that analytical method for Zhang Dainian is only the meansnot the end. The immediate purpose of using the means is to demonstrate the reality of external world and the ultimate aim is to clarify the philosophical propositions through differentiating the meaning of concepts in Chinese philosophy so as to lay a solid foundation for creative transformation of Chinese philosophy. In order o prove the reality of external world, Zhang has focused on such epistemological issues as the relationship between perception and existence, the external world being the object that can be recognized. The dissertation analyzes how Zhang Dainian builds his epistemological model of integrating external world, perception and practice. On the relationship between event and principle, Zhang advocates that "object governs event and principle"(wu tong shi li), and "object is the source and mind is the flow"(wu yuan xin liu). His fundamental stance not only takes over the materialistic viewpoints of his predecessors in Chinese philosophy, but also carries forward and develops their theories. In the process of elaborating that event, object and principle are all real, Zhang Dainian has expounded, criticized and inherited the philosophical thought of Zhang Zai, Wang Chuanshan, Yan Yuan and Li Gong. The author maintains that the vigorous and dynamic spirit in Zhang Dainian's philosophy inherited from his predecessors is a major thread in his philosophy which should not be ignored. In delimiting and discussing event and principle, Zhang Dainian adopts an open and pluralistic attitude and borrows from Bertrand Russell and Alfred North Whitehead's ideas. In constructing his "synthesized creation" theory, Zhang takes universal ground and transcend cultural relativism, which blazes a new trail for developing Chinese philosophy. In discussing Zhang's fusion between materialism and ideal, the author concentrates upon his philosophical propositions as "union between heaven and man", "balance between life and principle " and "integration between group and self ".The dissertation proposes that the philosophical theme of "dynamic union between heaven and man " emphasizes the dynamic equilibrium between heaven and man, calling for the interactive coordination and accommodation between man and nature. This philosophical view not only supplements and develops traditional thinking of union between man and heaven, but also provides useful reference for contemporary ecological ethics.Chapter Four concerns itself with the pioneering contributions made by Zhang Dainian in the field of ethics and theory of value. This part specifically analyzes the comprehensive work done by Zhang on such fundamental issues as major problems of axiology, schools of axiology, basic characteristics, the definitions of axiology, layers of value, axiological views, etc. In 1980s in China many scholars were busy themselves with introducing Western axiological views. Against this trend, Zhang Dainian through investigating into the Chinese philosophical history initiated an important aspect of traditional Chinese philosophy: namely, delving into the axiological theory of Chinese philosophy, which is unprecedented in clearing and establishing the theoretical foundation. Among the many axiological issues dealt by Zhang Dainian, the dissertation has researched into such propositions such as "human beings are the center of the universe"(yu ren wei ben), "the highest value is to be harmonious "(yi he wei gui) and "integration between righteousness and profit"(yi li tong yi). The author considers that the reason that "jianhe" (concurrent harmony) isthe kernel paradigm of Zhang Dainian's philosophical system is because Zhang has made use of traditional Chinese resources concerning "harmony"(he). In addition, the dissertation also devotes much space to the subjectivity of being in Confucian philosophy with a view to showing Zhang's emphasis on personal value, personal dignity and the existence of being.Chapter Five studies the autonomy of Chinese philosophy, which is a much-debated topic for the time being. Through reading and researching into voluminous and erudite works by Zhang Dainian, the author thinks that Zhang has made great efforts in revealing the distinctive features of Chinese philosophy and in differentiating the similarities and differences between Chinese and Western philosophies. He has made critical and penetrating judgments on the "living" and "dead" substances of Chinese philosophy. The dissertation attempts to manifest that in the process of strengthening the autonomy of Chinese philosophy, Zhang takes an objective attitude and showing foresight for the universalism of philosophy and peculiarity of Chinese philosophy. The author discovers that the reason that Zhang spends much time and energy in anatomizing the Chinese philosophical concepts, rearranging its internal logic and tracing its sources and history, is because he wants Chinese philosophical concepts to be more clear and definite in meaning, and the ultimate purpose is to focus on the subjectivity of Chinese philosophy. The paper holds that throughout history of Chinese philosophy Zhang Dainian will occupy an ever lasting and irreplaceable position in studying Chinese philosophical concepts and paradigms.Finally, the author observes that Zhang Dainian's philosophy is characterized by strong national horizon. Therefore, the dissertation examines the problematics, theoretical framework, discourse system of Zhang Dainian and the whole set of hermeneutic method of interpreting Chinese philosophy. Through reflecting upon all the endeavors made by Zhang Dainian in the process of constructing a modern sense of Chinese philosophy, the new generation will have much sober understanding towards the autonomy of Chinese philosophy.