Beyond And Return To The Tradition-An Reflection On Mou Tsung-san's Concept Of Modernization

The difference between Modern Neo-Confucianism and Confucianism is that the former requires "democracy" and "science" to modernize Chinese society. How to achieve "democracy" and "science" from the Confucian tradition? A typical view is given by Mou Tsung-san which called "Self-fallen-of-consciousness". By the self-restraint and self-denial of the consciousness, we can draw the "Intellectual Subject"(Mou thick it is the foundation of democracy and science) from the "Moral Subject". Also, Mou Tsung-san and Modern Neo-Confucian criticized the modern society because they think the spirits of the modern society are nothing but shallow intellectualism and pan-liberalism. In addition, they think that only the traditional Confucian ethics can save the gradually degenerate modern society.The major mistake of "Self-fallen-of-consciousness" is that Mou equates the consciousness and "Moral Subject". Because of this, he thinks that "Intellectual Subject" is come from "Moral Subject" by "Self-fallen". Therefore, we revised this theory:we think that "Moral Subject" is different from "Moral Subject" and also, it must come from "Moral Subject" by "Self-fallen". This is out of the accusations and criticism of the "pan-morali'sm" at the theoretical level. Also, we think that the Confucian tradition of Xinxing (Orthodoxy) or ethical need to be modernized, and the scholars of Modern Neo-Confucianism should erect a new "inner sage theory".Whether Modern Neo-Confucian think that they can achieve "democracy" and "science" from the Confucian tradition by "Self-fallen-of-consciousness", or they think that only the traditional Confucian ethics can save the gradually degenerate modern society, their fundamental purpose is to establish a new "modernity" which is not fully equivalent to the Western model, at the same time, they want to establish the legitimacy of Confucianism in the modern society. A key problem is, what kind of role does Confucianism play in the process of modernization and modern society? In this regard, we think that only after the collapse of the old social system, Confucianism can play an active role in the process of modernization. After the full completion of the modernization, Confucianism can be only used as a spiritual resource, realizing its own value in personal morality, national cohesion and other aspects, but not save the modern society.