Zhu Yuan

Strive for emancipation of mind

By Zhu Yuan (Cina Daily)
Updated: 2010-06-30 08:11

What should be to blame for the country's lack of development over the past couple of centuries? The answers vary.

Many Chinese scholars had asserted that the traditional Chinese culture, characterized by Confucian ideals, was a heavy burden that prevented the country from advancing as fast as its Western counterparts.

That explains why the May Fourth Movement was launched early in the previous century, which subverted most traditional concepts and introduced scientific and democratic ideals.

Some argued that China's long history of feudal dynasties, along with its corrupt political system, should be to blame for insipid scientific progress and dispirited political culture.

In his recently published book, Criticism of Chinese People's Thinking, Chu Yu has blamed the fettered Chinese mind for crippling the country's advancement over the past several centuries.

Many scholars have praised the book and its author for an insightful account, which they say has never before been attempted by others.

That is not quite correct.

The well-known Chinese thinker and scholar Lin Yutang touched upon precisely this topic in his book, My Country and My People, which was published sometime in the 1930s.

In the book, Lin claimed that the Chinese were often more than intelligent, as evidenced by their roguery, their indifference and in their pacifist attitudes, which often bordered on cowardice.

Talking about the Chinese people's lack of logical ability - which I too believe is a major reason why China has failed to develop a scientific temper despite stellar inventions or discoveries such as the compass, gunpowder, printing technology and paper - Lin explained that the Chinese mind was too fond of moral platitudes and abstract concepts such as benevolence, kindliness, propriety and loyalty.

Scientific method quite often involves some amount of drudgery, but we Chinese believe in flashes of insight or common sense to dictate our thinking.

In addition, we Chinese do not judge the correctness of a proposition by an appeal to reason alone, but by the twin pleas to reason and human nature.

Lin Yutang has touched upon almost all the topics that Chu Yu has put forth in his book. It is quite definitely unreasonable to claim that the latest work is unique.

Yet, we should not dismiss Chu's book as meaningless in the current context. We Chinese do need to be reminded from time to time of our penchant for moral platitudes even as we fail to nurture our creative faculties.

It is quite common to quote from a well-known or authoritative figure to justify something that should actually be verified by fact-based cogent reasoning.

In classrooms, teachers favor students who resort to rote learning over those who question what is being taught.

In most families, parents hope their offspring will follow their instructions unquestioningly rather than doing things independently.

The frequent use of Mao Zedong's quotes as the sole criterion to justify whatever a person or an organization did during the "cultural revolution" (1966-76) pushed such thinking to the extreme. Mao's quotes became a panacea for all ills.

Despite repeated calls to emancipate the mind in the three decades since those 10 years of political turmoil, creative or independent thinking still submits to those in power or authorities.

However reasonable or justified one's idea is, it hardly ever gets accepted unless the leader likes it.

Similarly, however unreasonable or unjustifiable the leader's idea is, it will have no difficulty in getting adopted as long as he uses his authority or power to push it.

That explains why ridiculous policies are adopted or some ill-conceived projects carried out.

The Chinese are often thought of as a pragmatic people who tend to look at everything through the prism of expediency. This is believed to be the reason why they forego creative and independent thinking.

But, when creative or independent thinking tends to conflict with the ideas of those in power, it is natural that many will choose to adopt the tried and tested.

Chu is essentially right in claiming that something is shackling the Chinese mind. It is imperative that our educational system is overhauled to encourage creative and independent thinking.

Our thinking is much more pluralistic when compared to what it was three decades ago, yet the space for creative and independent thinking is being squeezed out to make room for the will of power.

Gradual political reforms are needed to create an environment conducive to creative thought.

E-mail: zhuyuan@chinadaily.com.cn