On Zhang Shenfu's Theory Of Reason

In the process of modernization, the power of "reason" has created miracles. As one of the most important philosophers in 1930s of China, Zhang Shenfu attached great importance to reason and regards it as the foundation of the nation (or literally, the national spirit). Furthermore, for Zhang, the conception of reason has acquired its connotations in ontology, epistemology and axiology.In his study of "knowing" , Zhang started from the conceptions of "Shi" and "reason" and brought forward the methodology of "Pure impersonality" when he regarded it as the perfect form of "knowing" ; quite clear on the difficulty of "pure impersonality" and the serious outcomes between the dichotomy of "objectivism" and "subjectivism" on knowledge since modern era, Zhang brought forward the conceptions of "Super objectivism" and "concrete relativism" based on his "pure impersonality" in order to transcend the dichotomy of objectivity and subjectivity.In advocating the "new enlightenment movement" and having taken full notice of the unbalance of emotion and reason among the torchbearers of "WU SI Movement" , Zhang emphasized the key importance of reason in the process of enlightenment, and claimed "enlightenment is in fact the movement of reason" . Furthermore, he insisted that freedom was the precondition as well as the final end of enlightenment; the real meaning of enlightenment was advocating "reason" and popularizing education among nationals.Democracy and science, as the basic values of " "WU SI Movement" , constitute the core conceptions in the genealogy of modernization of china. Zhang criticized the popular understanding of democracy and science in "Wu Si" period. He pointed out that reason was the essential component of democracy and science, it was the spirit of democracy and the basis of science.As a basic element of modernity, in Zhang Shenfu' thoughts, reason acquired its significance in such various fields as knowledge, ontology (existence), science, democracy, freedom, education. Without doubt, his thoughts will play an active role in the process of modernization of China.