Peking University, Apr. 11, 2011: Where to pursue the four realms in life? How the profound meaning in Confucianism can be applied to the modern society? Two professors from the Department of Philosophy discussed about the philosophy of late Professor Feng Youlan on April 1.

With Professors Hu Jun and Wang Zhongjiang as its key-note speaker, the lecture was the first of the "Society, Culture, and Soul" series.

At the opening, Professor Hu Jun first explained the basic connotation of the thesis, "'Being extremely sophisticated' is entering a realm, while 'obeying the moderation rule' is a kind of behavior.” "The Confucian pursue to reach the state of extremely sophisticated' in thought but their lives are bound in the real world," said Professor Hu.

In the talk, the two professors illustrated that the pursuit of the highest thought realm of the Confucianism is not to be realized by extreme means such as pravrajya. In the modern society with labor divided and detailed, everyone can carry out their own duties and be content with their roles, even those who occupy the matters of mediocrity can be successful. Professor Wang also used an analogy of cooking to the rule of Moderation. Too fierce fire, the dish would scorch; too small fire, the dish would still be raw. Going too far is as bad as not going for enough.

It is generally believed that philosophy is abstract due to the thoughts. Being too mysterious makes philosophy empty and unreal. For this view, Professor Wang pointed out that although philosophy does not provide specific guidance to us but it is indeed a thing of "useless usefulness.”  

Professor Wang addressed his idea by referring to the debate between Zhuangzi and Huizi. In Zhuangzi's view, the feet occupy little space in walking. However, the space surrounding the feet is also crucial to walking. If the space surrounding the feet vanishes away, people could not move at all. Similarly, philosophy has a subtle influence on people's thoughts. Though people cannot find a specific example to exemplify its function, philosophy is of guiding significance to their lives. Professor Hu also noted that Chinese philosophy is the philosophy of soul and realms of life. In background of modern society, he put forward the view that "No soul no culture; No culture no society.” He emphasized the top role of the soul construction. The wasteland of soul would not bring the prosperous economic growth. “Thus, we need to build our spiritual world in the modern society,” Professor Hu added.    

Talking of Professor Feng Youlan's "Four realms of life,” Professor Hu held that Chinese culture is good at self-adjustment. The moderate mode matches with the "Moral Realm" quite well. The Western culture matches with the "Utilitarian Realm" after experiencing the process of industrialization. Professor Wang explained the difference between the Chinese and Western cultures by the different cultural types. He also noted that the "Heaven Realm" is full of mysteries. He proposed that the realm of Heaven can be divided into full stages: Knowing, Acting, Cheering and Harmony. To explain this, he took the example of the attitude of Professor Feng Youlan toward the ups and downs in his life.

"Knowing" is the insight to wisdom; "Acting" is about the role of human beings in the universe. Professor Wang specified the fact that Professor Feng emphasized the role and responsibilities of people in the real life. "Cheering" expresses the feelings of human beings toward all the things. Always hold an easy and optimistic attitude to life. In the stage of "harmony,” people can reach the state of living in harmony with nature. The four stages correspond with the "Four Realms of Life" reflecting the successive order of the realms of thought. 

Extended reading:

Feng Youlan: Renowned Chinese philosopher, PhD of Columbia University (1924), dean of both the College of Liberal-arts and the Department of Philosophy at  Tsinghua University, and professor at the Department of Philosophy, Peking University. He has significantly contributed to the history of Chinese philosophy. He put forward the theory of the "Four Realms in Life": Natural Realm, Utilitarian Realm, Moral Realm, and Heaven Realm.

Hu Jun: Professor at the Department of Philosophy, Peking University; PhD of Peking University, vice president and secretary-general of the Feng Youlan Research Center.

Research Field: Modern Chinese Philosophy, Epistemology

Wang Zhongjiang: Professor at the Department of Philosophy, Peking University; Ph D of Peking University and Tokyo University.

Research Field: History of Chinese Philosophy.

Written by: Chen Wei

Edited by: Jacques

Source: PKU News (Chinese)