Calling for the Third Enlightenment through a Dialogue on Modernity, Liberalism and the Revival of Guoxue

Abstract

On 31 October 2018, Paul Huang of Shanghai University and Professor Huang Yusheng of Tsinghua University had an academic dialogue. They recalled and reflected on the "Second Enlightenment" in China that began in 1978. Then they reflected on the Absoluteness, modernity and freedom in Chinese context from the perspective of comparative Chinese and Western philosophy. By a review of their academic research, they exchanged ideas on current hot topics in Chinese philosophical research, how the development of Chinese philosophy in the context of globalization can be adapted to Chinese society. Issues of temporality, freedom, individual subjectivity and the Absolute are discussed in the context of modernity, liberalism and the revival of Chinese classical studies. The two scholars call for attention to Luther and the advent of the Third Enlightenment as a way of rectifying the flaws left by the beheading of Western and Eastern philosophical thought. In particular, they suggest that the absoluteness of truth should be protected by sorting out the distinction between anthropology and theology within Western studies.