China Social Science Review

No.2, 2025

 

 

Xie Naihe

 

Classical studies, a subfield of modern Western academia, gradually became institutionalized and systematized after being introduced into China. On the one hand, Chinese civilization possesses a vast and internally coherent classical tradition. Although traditional Chinese bibliography divides texts into four categories, these various genres are integrated and holistic. On the other hand, the globally recurring pattern of “cultural re-rooting” suggests that Chinese classical texts and ancient civilization are a vital source for constructing Chinese modernization. In light of the fragmented deconstruction, building an independent Chinese classical studies discipline has become a consensus in contemporary Chinese academia. Nevertheless, ongoing debates persist over how to construct its disciplinary system, academic system, and discourse system. These differences can be resolved by rejecting Western-centric cultural assumptions and by drawing out the original traditions and internal logic of the Chinese classical knowledge system. Doing so will lay a theoretical foundation for creating a uniquely Chinese and cross-cultural form of classical studies.