Liang Shuming’s Reception in Mainland China Since the 1980s

Abstract

AbstractThis chapter reviews the literature on Liang Shuming produced by scholars in mainland China since the 1980s. Since the 1980s, Liang’s thought was reevaluated and its value was reaffirmed by contemporary Chinese scholarship. This chapter reviews studies on three dimensions of Liang’s thought: his approach to China’s cultural modernization, his philosophy of life, and his theory and practice of rural reconstruction. Regarding his approach to China’s cultural modernization, scholars agree that it is not appropriate to categorize Liang as a cultural conservative and that his attitude to traditional culture is sophisticated and complicated. Scholars also tend to locate Liang’s philosophy of life at the center of his various efforts to bring about China’s modernization and rural reconstruction. They also depict his philosophy of life as creatively integrating Buddhism, Confucianism and Western philosophy. Finally, Liang’s theory and practice of rural reconstruction is viewed as an asset by contemporary scholars in the context of the large-scale process of urbanization and rural reconstruction in contemporary China.KeywordsLiang ShumingMainland ChinaCultural modernizationPhilosophy of lifeRural reconstruction