Historical Thinking as Humanistic Thinking in Traditional China
傳統中國歷史思維中的人文主義
Journal
通識教育學刊
Journal Issue
14
Pages
9-22
Date Issued
2014
Author(s)
Abstract
This article sets out to argue that historical thinking in traditional China is humanistic thinking with Chinese characteristics. Traditional Chinese historical thinking centered upon man as the agent of change in history. Both the strengths and weaknesses of Chinese historical thinking are rooted in this strongly humanistic orientation. Four outstanding features of the Chinese humanism may be observed in the historical thinking in traditional China, viz., (1) anthropocentric explanation/ interpretation of history, (2) affirmation of the free will of man in history, (3) historiography as statecraft and (4) preserving of the factuality. With these strong humanistic impulse, the historical thinking in traditional China is potential of developing a more open-minded new humanism in the 21st century.
SDGs
Publisher
中華民國通識教育學會
Type
journal article