Zhang Xuecheng was a famous scholar in the period of Ganjia, and his main works were General Meaning of Literature and History and General Meaning of Schools. Since the emergence of Confucian classics, the interpretation of Confucian classics in past dynasties has interpreted each classic as a model for propagating feudal politics and educational ethics, which has shrouded the whole society in a mysterious and solidified ideological system.
Zhang Xuecheng, on the other hand, made a new interpretation of these classics, explained the substantive significance of Confucian classics to social development and academic evolution, and tried to trigger new philosophical principles.
For example, Zhang Xuecheng put forward the theory that "the Six Classics are all history" at the beginning of the article "Yi Jiao Merchants", arguing that "the ancients never talked about things for a reason", and the records of the Six Classics came from social life and the practice of governing the country, which was by no means the product of the wise mind of saints.
Extended data:
Zhang Xuecheng was in an era when textual research was prevalent and philosophical thoughts were relatively weak during the Ganjia period. He moved against the trend of the times, cured academic abuses and promoted philosophical exploration. He made a new interpretation of Confucian classics such as Zhouyi. He paid special attention to the historical and philosophical aspects related to understanding the social process and the fundamental purpose of academics, and summed up three important propositions.
He consciously carried forward the excellent style of study in the history of thought and advocated abandoning the wrong style of study. His exposition became the motive force of ideological emancipation in the late Qing Dynasty. His philosophical exploration is practical, critical and innovative, reaching the height that can be achieved under the historical conditions at that time, and he is worthy of being an outstanding thinker.
Zhang's knowledge includes two main levels. Firstly, the academic history is summarized, including the analysis of current academic fashion and the discussion of the development of historiography in 2000. The second is to discuss philosophy and historical philosophy. To this end, he wrote important articles such as Yi Jiao Xia, Shu Jiao Xia, Shi Jiao Xia and Yuan Zhong Xia.
China * * * Production Party News-Chen Qitai: On Zhang Xuecheng's Position in the History of Thought