Page 33 - 2022(1) International Confusion Studies

Int. Confucian Stud. 2022; 1(1): 26–47

Jiahe Liu and Xue Tong*
A Dedication to Classics Scholarship

https://doi.org/10.1515/icos-2022-2009

Abstract: Classics scholarship was discontinued during China’s pre-modern era
and in the recent century or more its value has yet to be recognized and rehabil-
itated. The paper examines the issue in four segments, with the expectation to
provide a contribution to its revival. (a) A tentative exegesis of classics scholarship.
The Chinese word jing (“classics,”“canons,” or “sutra”) refers to the constant Dao
(Way); it may also serve as a verb meaning “to regulate” or “to govern.” The same is
true with classics scholarship, which denotes the study of Confucian classics. Of
the Six Classics, The Book of Songs, The Book of History, and The Book of Rites form
the kernel of canonical Confucian texts. (b) The rise and fall of classics scholarship
and its historical lessons. In ancient China, classics scholarship underwent six
stages of development, before it suffered two fatal blows, respectively during the
New Cultural Movement (early 20th century) and during the “Cultural Revolution”
(1966–1976). History has taught us that classics scholarship can be used but not
overexploited. (c) Rationalism and tradition. Tradition is by no means the enemy of
reason. Whereas the Western Enlightenment thinkers pitted tradition against
reason, Chinese classics scholarship, exhibits historical reason, which is exem-
plified by the historical necessity of all of its specific traditions. (d) The significance
of contemporary classics scholarship. China’s cultural genes are deeply rooted in
classics scholarship. The two major concepts of classics scholarship: Ren and Li
complement each other, bringing harmony and unity to Chinese society. Classics
scholarship should involve study of ancient texts, phonology, semantics, as well
as history, and undertake the mission to resist unilateralism and clash of
civilizations.
Keywords: classics scholarship, tradition, historiography, cultural gene, mission
of the present era

Article note: The Chinese article is collated from a speech delivered by the author on the founding
of the Institute for Chinese Classics Scholarship, Tsinghua University, on September 19th, 2018.
The edited text has been authorized by the author for publication. This English version was
translated by Keyou Wang.

*Corresponding author: Xue Tong, School of Humanities, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China,
E-mail: 905341022@qq.com
Jiahe Liu, School of History, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China

Open Access. © 2022 the author(s), published by De Gruyter. This work is licensed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.