Innovating Marxist philosophy from an intl perspective

BY By Wang Haifeng | 11-20-2014
(Chinese Social Sciences Today)

The 14th Forum on Marxist Philosophy was held under the theme of “Innovating Marxist Philosophy from an International Perspective” from October 25 to 26 in Jinhua, Zhejiang Province.

 

Innovating Marxist philosophy requires observing the change of time and development of globalization from a historical perspective to provide theoretical support for actively promoting China’s comprehensive development. Jointly organized by the Social Sciences in China Press and Zhejiang Normal University, the 14th Forum on Marxist Philosophy was held under the theme of “Innovating Marxist Philosophy from an International Perspective” from October 25 to 26 in Jinhua, Zhejiang Province. More than 140 experts and scholars from universities and research institutions nationwide attended the forum and conducted in-depth discussions.

 

Promoting the innovation of Marxist philosophy needs to conform to the transition of history and time. Views of Marxist philosophy must also adopt an international perspective.

 

Han Qingxiang, a professor at the Party School of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), claimed that understanding the global significance of the Chinese road is at the core of innovating Marxist philosophy. Marxist philosophy has made contributions to China’s development over the past years, said Han, adding that there are still some problems after viewing the current Marxist philosophy studies. It is of great significance to study the virtue of Marxist philosophy, as well as exploring the historical meaning of the contemporary Chinese road, Han said.

 

Wu Xiaoming, professor at the School of Philosophy at Fudan University in Shanghai, said that innovating Marxist philosophy requires an international perspective. Such international perspective refers to researchers being proficient in a foreign language and thoroughly understanding literature from the West and the histories and current situations of foreign countries, said Wu. The real international perspective should find out a standing point, namely, the Chinese issues or the Chinese road, to understand the relationship between socialism and capitalism and explore the new type of human civilization, Wu said.

 

The relationship between socialism and capitalism is at the core of the Marxist philosophy studies. To promote the development of socialism with Chinese characteristics, it is important to correctly understand this relationship in an international context.

 

Ye Xianming, a professor at the College of Law and Political Science at Zhejiang Normal University, said that the international perspective also refers to promoting the innovation of Marxist philosophy within the transition of world history. In this kind of perspective, correctly understanding the relationship between capitalism and socialism will be conducive to reflecting the value of socialism with Chinese characteristics during the process of exploring global issues, added Ye.

 

Attention should be paid to objectively understanding socialism in the context of world history by studying the relationship between capitalism and socialism from an international perspective, said Zhang Wenxi, a professor at the School of Philosophy at Renmin University of China. Socialism with Chinese characteristics showcases the wisdom of the CPC and the Chinese people. It essentially pursues justice and fairness, giving everyone equal access to development opportunities, added Zhang.

 

It is necessary to objectively understand the connotation and virtue of socialism with Chinese characteristics in exploring the relationship between socialism and capitalism, said Zhao Jianying, president and chief editor of China Social Sciences Press, adding that we should deepen our research into socialism with Chinese characteristics.

 

Attending scholars brought up many useful suggestions about how to promote the innovation of Marxist philosophy from an international perspective. Liang Shufa, director of the China Society of History of Marxist Philosophy and professor at the School of Marxism Studies at Renmin University of China, said that it requires understanding the relationship of unity and diversity of civilization from an international perspective, as well as reflecting the relationship between the pattern of civilization and social formation to promote common development of people.

 

Based on the analysis of risks of modern society, Jia Yingjian, a professor at the Party School of the CPC Shandong Provincial Committee, said that it is necessary to discuss how to develop the Chinese road and solve Chinese issues. At a social level, Jia said globalization and social transition have posed challenges to people.

 

Attending scholars claimed that promoting the innovation of Marxist philosophy from an international perspective is a major issue that demands attention within the current Marxist philosophy studies. Strengthening the comparison and analysis of the international perspective aims to continuously enrich and develop the theoretical connotation of Marxist philosophy, and actively construct a discourse system of contemporary Marxist philosophy that can conduct fair dialogues with other discourse systems worldwide to make contributions to the realization of China’s rejuvenation.

 

The Chinese version appeared in Chinese Social Sciences Today, No. 661, October 27, 2014.   
The Chinese link: http://www.cssn.cn/zx/bwyc/201410/t20141027_1376716.shtml

Translated by Chen Meina
Revised by Tom Fearom