Much The Same But With Minor Differences: A Comparative Analysis On The Ethical Thoughts Of Li Dazhao And Chen Duxiu

Li Dazhao and Chen Duxiu are the most important representatives of Marxist ethical thinking in China,and their ethical thinking is characterised by “ a general resemblance with small differences”.One of the common points is that in their attitudes towards traditional Chinese ethics,both Li Dazhao and Chen Duxiu believed that Confucianism was the spiritual pillar of traditional Chinese culture,and reflected on and criticised it in various aspects;two of the common points is that in their understanding of the nature of morality,both Li Dazhao and Chen Duxiu used the materialistic view of history as a theoretical tool to explain the basic problems of morality,and thought deeply about how to establish a new morality in order to realise the historical mission of rescuing the country and saving the people;the third common point is that in examining the ethical relationship between the two sexes,both Li Dazhao and Chen Duxiu held the same concept of gender ethics for the realisation of equality between men and women-the realisation of equality between the sexes and the emancipation of women.The difference between Li Dazhao’s and Chen Duxiu’s ethical thinking is a difference within the same.From the point of view of criticism of traditional Chinese ethics,Li Dazhao focused on the interpretation of problems from a theoretical point of view,whereas Chen Duxiu focused on the transformation of social reality;from the point of view of the basic doctrine of morality,Li Dazhao paid less attention to the class attributes of morality,whereas Chen Duxiu pointed to that.;from the point of view of examining ethical relations between the two sexes,Li Dazhao focused on the promotion of and struggle for women’s democratic rights,whereas Chen Duxiu attached importance to women’s personality and independence of their rights.Despite their limitations,the ethical thoughts of Li Dazhao and Chen Duxiu made important contributions to the spread of Marxist ethical thought in China and the construction of Chinese Marxist ethical thought,and their rich contents are still important for the creative transformation and innovative development of Chinese excellent traditional culture,especially the combination of Marxism and Chinese excellent traditional culture.