Abstract
Adapting the basic tenets of Marxism to outstanding traditional Chinese culture is a major issue in the current and future development of Marxism in China. This paper attempts to sort out the historical relationship of ‘contradiction’ and ‘adaptation’ between Marxism and traditional Chinese culture in the process of development. It summarizes the basic ideas that have been developed in the academic community concerning the ‘two aspects’ involved with adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the typical achievements represented by Mao Zedong Thought. The paper also proposes that the challenge of adapting the basic tenets of Marxism and outstanding traditional Chinese culture should continue to focus on comprehensive innovation as the basic principle, prioritize cultural identity as the crucial direction for further progress, and take daily life as the central field of exploration.
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No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.
Notes
1 The New Culture Movement, in which various ideas such as anarchism, liberalism and experimentalism stirred, remained mainly influential in the academic and educational circles of the cities. History proved that the ideology and culture that can actually change China must not only be accepted by intellectuals, but also have the power to penetrate into the soil of social life to influence and guide the general public.
2 Guanzi • Mu Min, 1, https://ctext.org/guanzi/mu-min/ens.
3 Shang Shu • Songs of the Five Sons, 2, https://ctext.org/shang-shu/songs-of-the-five-sons/ens.
4 Huangdi Neijing • Su Wen, 1, https://ctext.org/huangdi-neijing/bao-ming-quan-xing-lun/ens.
5 Book of Changes • Xi Ci I,5, https://ctext.org/book-of-changes/xi-ci-shang/ens.
6 Book of Changes • Qian,1, https://ctext.org/book-of-changes/qian/ens.
7 Book of Changes • Xi Ci I,5, https://ctext.org/book-of-changes/xi-ci-shang/ens.
8 Dao De Jing,2, https://ctext.org/dao-de-jing/ens.
9 This well-known Chinese saying is originated from Gu Yanwu: Ri Zhi Lu • Zheng Shi, and adapted by Liang Qichao. http://www.cssn.cn/zx/bwyc/202101/t20210106_5242518.shtml.
10 Xunzi • Wang Zhi, 5, https://ctext.org/xunzi/wang-zhi/ens.
11 Mengzi • Jin Xin II, 60, https://ctext.org/mengzi/jin-xin-ii/ens.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Ying Liu
Ying Liu is an associate professor at School of Marxism at Beihang University. She is also a research fellow at the Chinese Society of Hominology and Beijing Cultural Development Research Institute at Beijing Normal University. Her research interests lie in Marxist Philosophy, culture and value problem, and educational theory. Her major publications include On Marx’s Understanding of the Self; On the Dilemma of Identity in China’s Social Change; The Development and Basic Characteristics of Core Values Education in the People’s Republic of China; How to Sinicize Marxism (take part in writing), etc.