Prof. Tu Wei-ming is the proponent of “third phase of the development of Confucianism,” who brought the modern transformation of Confucian into international context. In addition to freedom, Tu believes, there should be fairness. In addition to rationality, there should be compassion and sympathy. In addition to rule of law, there should be civility. In addition to the dignity of individuals, there should also be social harmony. The core value of the modern Western culture is rooted in the universal values of the West, some of which could also be rooted in the universal values of China and the East.
Yuan Weishi is a retired philosophy professor at Zhong Shan University; he is an expert on China’s modern history. Yuan Weishi believes that benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and faith should be built on the foundation of freedom, equality, democracy, and rule of law. Otherwise, these values could only be serving the patriarchal despotism.
Prof. Yuan perceives the “May 4th Movement” as a creative transformation of traditional Chinese, while Prof. Du argues that the “May 4th Movement” has destroyed the fundamentals of Confucianism. To read about the thought-provoking debate between Tu and Yuan in Chinese, click here.
袁伟时是中山大学哲学系退休教授，中国近代史专家。袁伟时认为仁、义、礼、智、信，应建立在自由、平等、民主、法治的基础上。否则，它只能为宗法专制服务。
杜维明是哈佛大学教授。他提出儒学的第三期发展，为儒学的现代转化开拓了国际视野。杜维明认为在自由之外要带进公正。在理性之外，要带进同情、慈悲。在法治之外还有礼让。个人尊严以外，还有社会和谐。现代西方所代表的核心价值是扎根在西方的普适价值，但同样有一些可以是扎根在中国、在东方的普适价值。
袁老师认为“五四”是对中国传统的创造性转化，而杜维明先生则认为“五四”把儒家的老底子都毁掉了。欲知两位学者精彩辩论的详细内容，点击此处。
