When chatting with friends, philosophical topics often come up. Usually, they mention the works and novels of Western philosophers such as Nietzsche, Sartre, or Plato, and rarely touch upon Chinese philosophy. Including myself, most of us first encountered Western philosophy; aside from reading some sections of Mencius and Zhuangzi during high school, we knew almost nothing about Chinese philosophy, and simply thought it was not as interesting as Western philosophy. Perhaps it is because Confucianism and Daoism are deeply rooted in our minds, so reading their classics often doesn’t have as strong an impact on our thoughts as Western philosophy does.
Recently, I read A Short History of Chinese Philosophy by Feng Youlan* (1895-1990) which challenges this perception and provides a compelling case for the importance of Chinese philosophy. The book is a fascinating exploration of the rich philosophical tradition of China, and it is a must-read for anyone interested in philosophy, regardless of their cultural background.
The book comprises lectures that Feng gave in the United States. Although it is evident that English was not his native language, his ideas are presented with depth and clarity. The book is written in simple language, making it accessible to readers with limited knowledge of Chinese philosophy.
As one of the most important figures in modern Chinese philosophy, Feng aimed to bridge the gap between Chinese and Western philosophy. He does this by using modern writing techniques to organise Chinese philosophy into a history of philosophy. This approach not only makes the book approachable for readers who are relatively unfamiliar with philosophy, but it also sheds light on the unique perspectives and insights that Chinese philosophy has to offer.
The chapter on Daoism is a standout feature of the book. Feng uses straightforward language to explain difficult concepts from texts like the Laozi and the Zhuangzi. He directly answers the questions readers might have when reading these classics, making ancient thought seem more connected to modern life.
What sets Feng’s writing style apart is its simplicity and clarity, as it was originally aimed at English-speaking audiences. This is not common in the field of philosophy, where many philosophers deal with complex and abstract issues that are unlikely to have a single, clear answer. Nevertheless, Feng presents his understanding of Chinese traditional thoughts in a very clear and easily understandable way.
For Chinese readers, A Short History of Chinese Philosophy is not just an exploration of their own cultural heritage, but also a call to action. Feng believes that philosophy is a way to systematically reflect on life, and as Chinese people, we have a responsibility to understand, inherit, and promote our nation’s philosophical thoughts. By doing so, we can allow Chinese philosophy to rejuvenate in contemporary society.
* The name he published under in English was Feng Yu-lan.
This undated file photo downloaded from the Baidu Encyclopedia yesterday shows Chinese philosopher Feng Youlan (aka Feng Yu-lan).
