Thanks to its long academic tradition, the study of ancient Chinese classics has seen obvious development over the past 30 years. At the same time, encouraging progress has been made over the past decade in the field of Western classical studies in China, although the field is still in its infancy.

Liu Xiaofeng, a classical studies scholar, says the academic progress seen in the study of Western classics will surely help the study of ancient Chinese classics take a new look.

Scholars of classical studies from China and overseas take part in a ceremony Tuesday to pay homage to the Confucius Temple in Qufu, Shandong Province. WANG YINING/FOR CHINA DAILY

The professor from the School of Liberal Arts of Renmin University of China outlines his idea of ​​promoting the field of Chinese classical studies, which integrates the study of ancient Chinese classics and Western classical studies, as the first World Conference of classics are getting ready. will be held in Beijing from Wednesday to Friday.

The three-day event, co-organized by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the Chinese Ministry of Education and the Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism, as well as the Greek Ministry of Culture and the Academy of Athens brings together more than 400 Chinese. and foreign scholars, discussing the enduring intellectual legacy of ancient civilizations and its relevance in the modern world.

Liu will address the conference saying that classical studies, both in the East and West, re-examine the past with a modern perspective and offer wisdom to contemporary society.

According to Wu Fei, professor of philosophy at Peking University, “classical studies” in the West generally examines ancient Greek and Roman civilizations in terms of languages, literature, history and culture. However, Western scholars today increasingly realize the need to involve the studies of other ancient civilizations in the field of classical studies.

In China, there have long been debates within the academic circle on topics such as: what should Chinese classical studies be about? Should the in-depth study of ancient Chinese classics be called “Chinese classical studies”? What ancient periods should be considered within the framework of classical studies?

Wu suggests that the World Classics Conference should be an opportunity to showcase the recent progress made by Chinese scholars in the fields of Western classical studies and the study of ancient Chinese classics, thereby promoting a deeper and more comprehensive dialogue between Chinese scholars and international classical studies. community.

But more importantly, he says the conference will be a source of inspiration in helping Chinese classical studies clarify its scope and positions and find its way into the country’s higher education system as a formal discipline.

According to him, although many Chinese universities have founded study centers focusing on classical studies, there is still a long way to go in training students, developing dedicated research teams and establishing lasting communication with others. disciplines such as literature, history, philosophy and archaeology.

In Wu’s perspective, Chinese classical studies should cover Western classical studies and the study of Chinese classics from the pre-Qin period (before 221 BC). Although historical and modern interpretation of the minds of ancient Greece and Rome are included, the understanding and interpretation of pre-Qin Chinese classics since the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD) must also be taken into account. counts in the framework of classical studies. .

Liu says Chinese scholars engaged in Western classical studies should be well-versed in ancient Chinese classics and respect traditional Chinese culture. Likewise, scholars specializing in ancient Chinese classics should also have a strong knowledge base in Western classical studies.

He adds that today, Chinese humanities scholars, even those who focus on ancient Chinese classics, have more or less received academic training in modern Western academic concepts and methods. Yet this does not necessarily mean that they are sufficiently familiar with the old Western classics.

To explain what might be an appropriate way to develop a comprehensive education in classical studies, Liu uses the example of RUC’s experimental undergraduate program in classical studies, which he founded in 2010.

Students in this program are required to take philology courses, learn ancient Chinese language, classical Greek and Latin, as well as literature and history, in addition to reading ancient Chinese and Western classics extensively.

Liu says one student in this experimental program, whose undergraduate thesis features the Athenian legislator and poet Solon and who speaks classical Greek and Latin, earned a doctorate in ancient Chinese philosophy.

According to him, under the modern classification system, ancient Chinese classics have been observed in disciplines such as history, philosophy and Chinese literature. Yet, by promoting “Chinese classical studies,” scholars like him aim to integrate ancient classical studies scattered across these disciplines.

Wu says the current classification system results in a lack of overall perspective in studies of ancient Chinese classics and some important aspects are missing.

For example, it is not enough to examine classics like the Shi Jing, also known as the Book of Songs or Classic of Poetry, simply as a literary work, the Spring and Autumn Annals in as historical documents, and the I Ching (The Book of Changes). ) as a philosophical work.

“Classical studies scholars should first have a comprehensive understanding of classical civilizations, before delving into a specific field,” says Wu.

He will give a presentation comparing the philosophy of Aristotle and Confucius at a sub-forum of the conference, and hopes to draw inspiration from his international counterparts to re-examine Chinese classical traditions.

Speaking about the future of classical studies in China, the two scholars emphasize the comparison and resonance between the East and the West, as well as the new thoughts generated in the pursuit of understanding ancient classics in the manner of ancient people and their interpretation in a modern context.

“Only after a relatively long period since classical times and when people come to recognize these works as historical classics with significant relevance to modern society, can classical studies as a discipline be established,” Wu said.

“What is important is not to what extent the modern spirit recognized today can be traced back to ancient times, but how ancient wisdom can provide richer dimensions and perspectives for examining and better addressing contemporary problems .”