SPECIAL ISSUE： IMPORTANT ISSUES IN MARXIST PHILOSOPHICAL STUDIES IN CONTEMPORARY CHINA：Develop research in Marxist philosophy in China on the basis of the country＇s specific realities

To develop research on Marxist philosophy in China by basing it on the specific realties of China spells out the methodological principle that research on Marxist philosophy in China should have; the essence of its demand for the upholding of specific Chinese realities as both the starting point and destination for research on Marxist philosophy in China is the Sinicization of Marxist philosophy. This is the essential demand of Marxist philosophy as well as the objective need of Chinese society for development, and also the fundamental route for ceaseless theoretical innovation in research on Marxist philosophy in China and the foundation for the integration of diversified approaches in such research. To strictly adhere to and practice this principle, we must resolutely oppose dogmatism under any form, maintain a certain tension between the academic nature and the actualities of research on Marxist philosophy, and hold fast to our basic principles in interacting with our traditional philosophy and the philosophy from the West.

The Eastward Spread of Western Learning and the Sinicization of Marxist Philosophy

The spread of Western learning to the East objectively promoted the dissemination of Marxist philosophy, forming an important historical precondition for its Sinicization. Moreover, it triggered a great transformation in the historical development of Chinese philosophy and facilitated its transition from an ancient to an early modem tradition, thereby establishing through Sinicization a link between Marxist philosophy, which originated in the Western philosophical tradition, and the Chinese tradition of philosophy, and rendering Marxist philosophy Chinese. This offered the possibility that Sinicized Marxist philosophy would play a positive guiding role in the development of modern Chinese philosophy. Therefore, we may say that without the spread of Western learning to the East, there would be no Sinicization of Marxist philosophy; and without in-depth research on the relationship between the Eastward spread of Western learning and the Sinicization of Marxist philosophy, we would have no real understanding of the Sinicization of Marxist philosophy. However, the close links between the Sinicization of Marxist philosophy and the spread of Western learning do not indicate that the former is part of the history of latter. The Sinicization of Marxist philosophy does not itself belong to the category of the spread of Western learning to the East. This is because Marxist philosophy is essentially different from all other forms of what is commonly known as Western learning, and its Sinicization differs from the Eastward spread of Western learning in terms of its goals, social nature, results and effects on society.

"On Practice" and "On Contradiction" :The Inspiration behind the Sinicization of Marxist Philosophy

Mao Zedong＇s ＂On Practice＂ and ＂On Contradiction＂ result from the combination of Marxist philosophy, the revolutionary practice of China and the fine achievements of traditional Chinese philosophy, and have enriched and developed Marxist epistemology and dialectics. ＂On Practice＂ and ＂On Contradictiott＂ are paradigms of the sinicization of Marxist philosophy, providing valuable inspiration for its further sinicization by elevating rich practical experience to the level of philosophical theory; learning from and absorbing the latest achievements of contemporary Marxist philosophy; inheriting and developing the fine heritage of traditional Chinese philosophy; going from specific philosophical issues to the sinicization of Marxist philosophy; and making philosophy into a national cause.

SPECIAL ISSUE： IMPORTANT ISSUES IN MARXIST PHILOSOPHICAL STUDIES IN CONTEMPORARY CHINA：The issue of style of study in research on Marxist philosophy

Style of study is a fundamental prerequisite for studies of Marxist philosophy. A Marxist way of study requires firstly taking up the standpoint of the masses; secondly, an unwavering attitude of emancipating the mind, seeking truth from facts and progressing with the times; and thirdly, consciously espousing the method of joining theory and practice. Building up Chinese-style socialism is the greatest reality in China and is the locus of the fundamental interest of the mass of the people. It is the requirement and actualization of the principle of ＂emancipating the mind, seeking truth from facts and progressing with the time.＂ It is the historical mission of Marxist philosophical studies to serve the practice of Chinese-style socialism.

SPECIAL ISSUE： IMPORTANT ISSUES IN MARXIST PHILOSOPHICAL STUDIES IN CONTEMPORARY CHINA：The essential tension： on the distinction of ideality and actuality in Marxist philosophy

There are two opposing tendencies in the history of Westem philosophy： one is the Platonic- Hegelian tradition that mixes actuality and ideality, the other is the Aristotelian-Kantian tradition that differentiates the two. Marx distanced himself from the former by his critiques of Hegelism, but the later generations have in a sense turned back to it in their interpretation of Marxist theory. Despite its significance, this reversal is fundamentally inconsistent with Marxist philosophy, and will frequently have unfortunate results in practice. Therefore it is of great necessity to clarify the theoretical distinction between Marxism and Hegelism on this issue.

The Three Forms of the Marxist Philosophy and Their Historical Fate

The ＂general problem＂ that Marx＇s philosophy analyzes and aims to solve is capital＇s ownership of labor-power and the emancipation of the proletariat. In the course of exploring this problem, Marx＇s philosophy developed three basic, organically integrated forms： the popular, the scholarly and the political. However, the post-Marx history of Marxist philosophy has seen these three forms evolve differently and meet with different fates. The situation in contemporary China can be summarized as follows. The popular form is proposed but not fully realized; the scholarly form is robust but estranged from politics and the public; and the political form is prominent but needs further academic support and popular recognition. For the healthy development of Marxist philosophical research in contemporary China, we must not only clarify the integral structure of Marx＇s philosophy but also create an ＂ecological environment＂ favorable to its sustainable development with a view to facilitating the benign interaction of the three basic forms.

SPECIAL ISSUE： IMPORTANT ISSUES IN MARXIST PHILOSOPHICAL STUDIES IN CONTEMPORARY CHINA：Three major topics for discussion in current research on Marxist philosophy

Western Marxism has developed a broad semantic space and a variety of possible approaches for renewing our understanding of Marxist philosophy; however, its essential failing of separation from political practice and its internal tension and conflict should attract more attention. The sinicization of Marxist philosophy is not a simple change of categories or using traditional Chinese philosophy to ＂convert＂ Marxist philosophy, but the combination of Marxist philosophy and Chinese reality in a process integrating Marxist philosophy and traditional Chinese philosophy so that Marxist philosophy ＂acquires a national form.＂ The construction of Marxist studies in China can never overlook the ＂re- interpretation＂ of any text by practice; all ＂reconstruction＂ of the philosophical system is fundamentally inspired by the activities of practice.

Chinese Marxist Philosophy Since Reform and Opening-Up

Since reform and opening-up began in 1978, Chinese Marxist philosophy has undertaken the double mission of enhancing the emancipation of the mind in society and of realizing its own ideological emancipation. It has gone through an evolutionary process from ＂extensive discussion about the criterion of truth＂ to ＂reform of philosophical textbooks＂; from the proposal of the philosophical conception of ＂practical materialism＂ to reflection on ＂modernity＂; and from the carrying-out of dialogues among Chinese, Western, and Marxist philosophies to the exploration of ＂new forms of civilization.＂ Chinese Marxist philosophy has shifted its way of doing research with practical materialism as a core conception, and it changed such modes of thinking as the intuitive theory of reflection based on naive realism, the theory of linear causality based on mechanical determinism, and the reductionism of essence based on abstract substantialism. As a result, it has boosted changes that were already underway in Chinese philosophy, worldviews, theories of truth, conceptions of history, and views of development, and it has further endowed the discourse system of Marxist philosophy with laudable subjectivity and originality.

SPECIAL ISSUE： DIALOGUE, INTERACTION AND NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN PHILOSOPHY IN CONTEMPORARY CHINA- SPECIALIST FORUM ON CHINESE, WESTERN AND MARXIST PHILOSOPHIES：The current situation, problems and tasks before Chinese philosophy

The development of philosophy in contemporary China requires correct understanding and solving prominent practical problems in China＇s process of social development, providing proper rational thinking, value ideal and life orientation for the Chinese, and playing its role of guiding, regulating and promoting social progress. To achieve the goal, philosophy needs to shift from ＂system consciousness＂ to ＂problem consciousness,＂ so as to fulfill a paradigm transformation; to shift from ＂local horizon＂ to ＂world horizon,＂ so as to expand the horizon of our philosophy; and to shift from the tripartite division of Chinese, Western and Marxist philosophies to a ＂common horizon＂ for the three, so as to gradually establish the concept of ＂macro-philosophy.＂

Human Nature, Personality, and Human Freedom in Feng Qi＇s On Wisdom

In creating his theory of wisdom, Feng Qi emphasizes that Chinese Marxist philosophy should move from the theory of knowledge to a discourse on wisdom and concentrate on Chinese people＇s living world and life existence, so as to provide a spiritual home for the Chinese people and thereby highlight the importance of human nature, personality, and human freedom in Chinese Marxist philosophy. In researching human nature, he expatiates on the problems of mind （xin） and human nature （xing）, natural instincts （tian xing） and virtues （de xing）, and general character and individual character; in emphasizing personality, he puts forward the idea that the ideal personality is ＂free personality as a member of ordinary people;＂ in probing into the problems of human freedom, he explains how to get freedom from the basis of practical materialism. This philosophical inquiry enriches Chinese Marxist philosophy＇s researches into the understanding of humanity and the connection of philosophy with the living world, which opens up a new area of development in the sinicization of Marxist philosophy.

A Twofold Perspective on Research on Marx and Engels' Classic Texts

Study of the classic texts of Marx and Engels should employ two perspectives： Marxist philosophical history and Marxist philosophical principles. The two cannot be separated, still less contradictory. In dealing creatively with these classic works, we must firmly uphold the methodology of historical materialism, read them in accordance with the authors＇ original intentions and approach them creatively. We need to oppose research styles that place undue emphasis on the researcher＇s own interpretations and constructions. Research on Marxist philosophy should develop on the basis of respect, study and correct understanding of Marx and Engels＇ classic works; different readings of these texts must not be allowed to construct a pluralist Marxism. This is of great importance for consolidating the leading position of Marxism in the sphere of ideology.

Spiritual Construction in Contemporary China and Its Ideological Resources

Spiritual construction in contemporary China is an important ideological task raised by China＇s historical practice. Modem development often entails entering into ＂modem civilization＂; yet the abstract understanding of this civilization hides its essential rules and historical nature. China has pursued development on different historical premises from the West, and therefore it belongs only partially to modem capitalist civilization. Its rapid development highlights the historical limits of the latter. Realistic prospects for Chinese development imply a transformation and remodeling of China＇s overall way of life, attitudes to life and values, and this inevitably calls for a new form of philosophy. The intellectual sources for this new philosophy are Chinese philosophy, Western philosophy and Marxist philosophy. Their creative integration points in a positive way to the possibility of a new type of civilization.

The End of the Supersensory World＇s Mythology： Marx＇s Ontological Revolution and Its Contemporary Significance

The whole of Western metaphysics, particularly Platonism, sets up a partition between the sensory world and the supersensory world, laying the foundation for the mythology of the supersensory world. After Descartes set contemporary metaphysics on its course, Feuerbach became the first to attack the essence of the supersensory world on an ontological level and to transfer the criticism of theology to that of metaphysics in general. While in the final analysis Feuerbach＇s criticism fails, Marx＇s revolution appeals to the ontological notion of ＂sensory activity＂ or ＂objective activity＂ （i.e., practice）, the core of which rests in piercing and overturning the fundamental framework of contemporary metaphysics--＂the immanence of consciousness.＂ It is this ontological revolution which reveals the camouflage of the supersensory world＇s mythology （i.e., ideology） and which simultaneously establishes a solid foundation for the critical analysis of the latter. Marx＇s ＂science of history＂ is based on this foundation and develops from it.