Theory Travel And Knowledge Production:Archetype Theory In China

The "archetype" theory,originated in the West in the 20 th century,has had a broad and profound impact on the generations that have come after its inception.When the archetype theory entered China,it interpenetrated and intertwined with China’s academic and cultural environment,leading to the sublation and localization of the theory.Whether it first arrived in China during the period of the Republic of China,or when it systematically entered China as a research paradigm and critical method in the1980 s,the journey eastward of the archetype theory was like an extremely long journey.It can be said that the theoretical journey of the “archetype” in China is a microcosm of the introduction of other foreign theories into China.Faced with the archetype born out of Western cultural backgrounds,Chinese scholars try to re-understand and interpret it,in that,they try to re-understand the theoretical connotation and re-explore the universality of their methods based on local experience and perspective.The theoretical journey of archetype theory in China is a process in which archetypes continue to impact and blend with the Chinese traditional cultural context,and a process in which foreign theories continue to release their affinity in the Eastern land.The archetype itself has also been nourished and developed on China’s academic soil,thus achieving a more permanent theoretical vitality.This paper aims to focus on sorting out the dissemination,practice and development process of archetypes in China,to deeply analyze the internal logic of archetypes taking root and development in China,especially in the social and cultural context,and to conduct a detailed investigation of the archetype journey to China.The specific chapters are as follows:The first chapter is the conceptual explanation and development of the archetype theory,by thoroughly analyzing the evolution of archetypes in the fields of Western philosophy,theology,natural humanities,etc,while focusing on the conceptual characteristics of archetypes at the macro level of historical development.The perspective fusion method will be used to examine the archetype and effort will be made to accurately grasp the connotation and characteristics of the archetype.The second chapter summarizes the spread and practice of archetypes in China,that is,this chapter seeks to address the spread and practice of the archetype in China from both the theoretical and application levels.As for the "archetype",it has been nearly a hundred years since it first landed in China.During this long journey of the century,the archetype has been continuously introduced and studied by Chinese scholars and has been widely discussed and applied on the local academic soil.Faced with archetypes based on Western culture,many local Chinese scholars have tried to reinterpret the theory and explore the development and transformation of the theory on China’s local academic soil.At the same time,they have tried to: analyze the theory on the basis of Chinese culture and literary experience;re-understand the concept of archetype connotation;and re-explore the universality of its method.The third chapter mainly analyzes the internal logic of the archetype’s theoretical journey in China.The reason why the "archetype" generated in the Western cultural context can spread and take root in the exotic East is that the theory meets China’s inherent needs.The purpose of questioning archetypes is to explore the creation of human nature as a whole,which is the most essential concern for human beings’ own spiritual journey.Therefore,archetype is not only a method of criticism,but also an ideological system.It is also an aesthetic category,which lays the foundation for studying and thinking about archetypes across the East and West,based on the entire human spiritual culture,literary phenomena,etc.Additionally,many propositions and concepts in Chinese local cultural philosophy resonate with the archetype.The unique spiritual understanding and way of thinking about all things in the world in Eastern culture also reduce the obstacles to the spread of archetypes in China.The academic practices of early scholars such as Lu Xun and Wen Yiduo also contributed to the spread and acceptance of this theory in China.The fourth chapter mainly discusses the localization of the archetype theory.As products derived from the historical background of Western culture,archetype and Chinese native theories belong to two discourse systems,with different meaning systems and cultural foundations.When dealing with archetypes,we must adopt the attitude of extracting the essence and using the macro,as well as using the old to incorporate the new.This chapter focuses on the persistence and adaptation of the archetype by local scholars.It selects the theoretical achievements of Chinese scholars on the localization of the archetype theory and explores the inspiration of archetypes to the Chinese local academic circles from the perspective of comparison and dialogue,as well as the expansion and correction of theories by local academic circles.The fifth chapter reviews and summarizes the process of travel and acceptance of archetype theory in China,examining the “gains” and “losses” in the entire process.In the final analysis,the acceptance of the archetype has a distinct orientation,which is to construct and erect Chinese literary theories as its main purpose.This is inseparable from the development stage and demands of modern and contemporary Chinese literary theories.Judging from the development trend of archetypes in China,China’s archetype research no longer follows the West,but has local characteristics and incorporates the characteristics of the times and global cultural commonalities.The academic development of the archetype theory in China will also help local academic circles learn from its relevant experiences,thereby reviving the charm and value of Chinese local literary theories in the world.