“人生观论战”的历史场域与当代价值

The Historical Field of the Debate on Science and the Philosophy of Life and its Modern Value

1923年以张君劢、梁启超为代表的“玄学派”同以丁文江、胡适为代表的“科学派”展开的“科学与人生观”论战,历史上亦称为“科玄论战”“人生观论战”,这是穿越世纪的思想大论战。“人生观论战”究竟对中国乃至世界的现代化提出了什么问题?如何理解其对当代世界文明发展的反思性价值?我们通过与“人生观论战”展开共时性与历时性对话、认知与实践对话以及特殊性与普遍性对话,可以发现当代中国文明及世界文明发展之价值取向的某种方向。

A hundred years ago,the Debate on Science and the Philosophy of Life between the School of Metaphysics玄学派represented by Zhang Junmai张君励and Liang Qichao梁启超and the School of Science科学派represented by Ding Wenjiang丁文江and Hu Shi胡适marked the beginning of an important ideological argument across the century.From a synchronic perspective,the main differences between the two sides lie in their particular concerns and argumentative positions.Although the School of Metaphysics and the School of Science held to their respective domains and arguments,both were deeply concerned about the rise of Chinese civilization.In addition,both also focused on the historical and cultural traditions based on the development of Chinese civilization,and they attempted to uncover the fundamental contradictions in establishing a modern civilized nation;thus,both Schools paid attention to the ideal pursuit of how the Chinese nation could move towards a modern civilization.From a diachronic perspective,the Debate on Science and Philosophy of Life was not an isolated event.In one aspect,it constituted a diachronic dialogue and confrontation with the revolutionary reflection of modern European civilization.Another aspect concerned the history of China in the early 2Oth century that witnessed the highlight of the Chinese nation's Cultural Awakening:the outbreak of the May Fourth Movement五四新文化运动under the banner of anti-imperialism and anti-feudalism,which ignited the revolutionary enthusiasm of the Chinese nation,whereby the slogans of science and democracy were regarded as important symbols of modern civilization.Furthermore,accompanying the New Culture Movement,the Debate on East and West Culture,the Debate on Socialism,and the Debate on Science and the Philosophy of Life together constituted the cultural prelude of exploring the road of modern Chinese civilization,and opened a skylight for pursuing modern civilization for the ideological enlightenment and practice of China's modernization.Fundamental transformations have taken place in the contemporary terrain of the new civilization of the 21st century.The coexistence of diverse cultures constitutes a major framework for the development of human civilization.Modernization should not be equated with globalization,nor be regarded as a process of homogenization or Westernization.It is inappropriate to substitute Western particularity for global universality,however,there is no universality without particularistic values.Reflecting on modernity,China's modernization must follow a path with Chinese characteristics,which is shaped by our history,culture,and society.This path is uniquely Chinese,yet it should also be global in its implications.