The Study Of Chen Duxiu's Individualism Thought In May Fourth Movement Period

Individualism is an important social trend in the May Fourth period.It is a powerful weapon for Chinese intellectuals to overthrow the feudal patriarchal system and traditional Confucian ethics in the transition era.Among the many thinkers who advocate individualism,Chen Duxiu,Hu Shi,and Lu Xun are the most characteristic.Chen Duxiu,as the commander-in-chief of the May Fourth Movement and the initiator of the New Culture Movement,is more representative and unique.The formation of Chen Duxiu's individualism is closely related to his character,growth environment,educational experience,social activities and the background of the times.The theoretical source of individualism was mainly influenced by bourgeois reformers during the enlightenment period.For example,Liang Qichao's “new people” theory and modern national state concept were mainly influenced by Western bourgeois theory during the formation stage,such as Nietzsche's master morality and superhuman philosophy.France's natural human rights theory and social contract theory,British utilitarianism and so on.According to Chen Duxiu's works,letters,speeches,etc.,the basic ideas of his individualism can be summarized into three aspects: First,emphasize that individuals should form an independent personality,and advocate the liberation of individuals from the common ethics and family attachment.The subjective consciousness of the individual;second,the individual should have the right to freedom and equality,including the freedom of individual self-realization,the freedom of thought and speech,the freedom of religious belief,the freedom of assembly and association,and the equality of human rights,equality of men and women,ethnicity.Equality;Third,it is believed that only the rule of the people can protect individual rights.Therefore,the people should consciously occupy the status of the master and actively participate in the administration of state affairs.The individualism advocated by Chen Duxiu during the May Fourth period is not self-generated from Chinese traditional culture,but also different from individualism in the Western sense.It is the thought of Rousseau,Nietzsche,Bentham and others and the traditional Chinese way of thinking.The combination of strong patriotism,radicalism and utilitarianism is not only an idea of advocating self-independence,but also has the practical significance of promoting the progress of the nation-state.During the May Fourth period,Chen Duxiu's active propaganda of individualism had the positive significance of promoting individual liberation and forming a modern individual,and had a great social impact.However,after the second half of 1919,Chen Duxiu gradually changed from an individualist to a collectivist.In the face of the reality of national salvation,individualism quickly gave way to a class revolution that could directly solve social problems.This change is not only its The result of personal deliberation was also the epitome of social transformation at that time.Studying Chen Duxiu's individualistic thoughts helps to understand the main characteristics of the individualism in the May Fourth period and the evolution of individualism in China.