Inheriting Tradition; Interpretations of the Classical Philosophers in Communist China, 1949-1966

by Kam Louie

One of the most intriguing tasks facing thinkers in Communist China has been to determine the place of tradition in a changing world. While officials and intellectuals have upheld the principle that "the past should serve the present," the varied interpretations of how this should be done have given rise to bitter conflicts. Examining the many arguments surrounding this debate that have been drawn from Daoism, Confucianism, Maoism, and Legalism, this work sheds light on the philosophical foundations of the Cultural Revolution and touches on what it means to be Chinese in a Communist state.

Hardcover

First published February 19, 1987