On the morning of Februry 1st, 2018, Confucius Research Instiute held the “Academic Salon” Activity 2017 of reading the Book of Mencius, the deputy dean of Confucius Research Institute Chen Xiaoxia, related researchers discussed around the theme of Confucius in the Book of Mencius, the director of academic research department and researcher Kong Xiang’an presided over the whole salon.
As the the keynote speaker, young expert of Taishan Scholar of Confucius Research Institute and doctor Wei Yanhua pointed out that confronting the internal division into eight schools and the external criticism from the Mohist School and Yang Zhu’s School, Mencius undertook the mission of carrying forward Confucius’ Confucianism. Doctor Wei interpreted the image of Confucius in Mencius’ mind and Mencius’ contribution to Confucius’ doctrines from the four aspects of listing and elaborating Mencius’ eulogy of Confucius, Mencius citing Confucius’ words to prove himself, Mencius’ willingness to serve as Confucius’ disciple and the image of Confucius in Mencius’ mind. Doctor Wei summarized that Mencius found a way to interpret Confucius’ theory of “Ren” by “benevolent governance”; Mencius explored humanity deeply, and systematically illustrated his own philosophical system; in addition, Mencius set a good example for the public to study from Confucius.
The participants discussed around the theme of the salon and the Confucian issues such as the relationship between Confucius’ philosophy and Mencius’ doctrine, the comparison between the Analects and the Book of Mencius on the record of “Yang Huo visiting Confucius”, the connotation of “Dao”, the textual research of Confucius’ words in the Book of Mencius. They agreed that this salon closely centered on the academic classic, the analysis was systematic, orderly and thorough, on one hand, they recognized the active role that Mencius played in defending for Confucius and Confucianism, pointing that Confucius is the founder of Confucianism and Mencius inherited Confucius’ thought, the two are consistent; on the other hand, Mencius developed and enriched Confucius’ thought from the study of mind.
Chen Xiaoxia summarized that the form of academic salon is helpful for us to enlighten each other and extend our thinking, and thereafter improving each of us. In the future, we must focus on the combination between studying the classics and social practice. Besides, she talked about her own view on the relationship between Confucius and Mencius, pointing out that based on Confucius, Mencius made great contribution to Confucianism by enheriting and optimizing it. Only by harboring reverence to the past saints and sages, could we learn from, and we should leran from Mencius, making positive contribution in inheriting Confucius’ thought and carrying forward Confucius’ Confucianism better in modern times.
This salon is one of the contents of series of activities of “reviewing the four Confucian classical books and laying a solid foundation” in the “academy improvement year” 2017. It aims at promoting the further development of Confucianism study and spread, deepening academic study, encouraging the academic discussion, improving the staff’s academic and lecture capacity, and creating strong academic atmosphere.
