革命和启蒙再出发

Revolution and Restart of the Enlightenment

作为现代性的开端,欧洲各国的启蒙运动在18世纪后半叶达到高潮,引发了欧美资产阶级革命,导致现代社会政治制度的建立,极大地促进了人类社会的现代化进程。相比之下,19世纪40年代以来,中华民族被动地纳入启蒙和现代性世界版图之中。在近现代中国史上,启蒙、救亡、革命和改良构成不同阶段的主题。始于1915年的新文化运动是中国启蒙运动的高潮,指向中国社会政治变革的多个方向,并最终导致现代中国新民主主义革命。为了更好地理解启蒙,需要认真对待启蒙与革命、启蒙与理性、启蒙的共性与个性、启蒙思想与意识形态的关系等问题。启蒙有自己的使命,不会随着革命的完成而结束,也不会随着现代化的成就而中止。在新世纪,启蒙将为中国进一步改革提供思想指导。

Starting with 17-18 th European countries, the Enlightenment was generally acknowledged as the flowering of modernity in world history.This intellectual movement swept away ignorance and superstition in human intellectual world and social life,launched dramatic revolution in social institutions and political orders,ushered in new notions and ideals that help people to perceive the world and humanity itself differently,and inspired new possibilities of human life.Since the end of the nineteen century,enlightenment,salvation,revolution and reformation had made up different themes in the process of Chinese modernity.The New Cultural Movement at the beginning of twentieth century culminated historically in Chinese version enlightenment,and led up to a political upheaval of modern Chinese revolution as well as apowerful spur toChina＇s modernization.It seems that the enlightenment always brings about profound social and political revolution.But the connotation embedded in the themes and missions of the enlightenment comes more than just that.A full comprehension of the enlightenment requires a further look into its relationships with revolution and rationality,and its generality and individuality,and its relationships with ideology,etc.The Enlightenment in different countries at different periods of time bears both similarity and diversity.And the Enlightenment grows and strengthens itself via struggle with dominant ideology.However,the two may gradually converge in their views with the progress of the Enlightenment and the development of individual rationality.Thus,a comprehensive and pluralistic view should be adopted when it comes to the comprehension of the Enlightenment.The Enlightenment is undoubtedly apart of modern history,but its peculiarities distinguish itself from rest of this history.In the same way,Chinese enlightenment is an important part of the world enlightenment while holding its unique mission.Thus,a comprehensive,objective and fair appraisal on Chinese enlightenment is required and any prejudice should be avoided.Lessons and experiences from Chinese and western enlightenments are mutually beneficial.Thus,the Chinese enlightenment should be investigated against the backdrop of the human civil history as a whole.At the end of nineteenth century,Chinese people perceived modernity,enlightenment and revolution negatively.But in contemporary China, when revolution has accomplished its historical mission,enlightenment,however,will continue to guide the on-going reform.For the sake of its success,a new enlightenment movement needs to start again.And this is the exact reason why we now need to reconsider the relationship between enlightenment and revolution.