Ting Wen-chiang Exploration On Social Transformation In Modern China

In the first half of the 20th century and under the background of the violent change of the modern China's society, Ting Wen-chiang, based on a physical scientist's stand, thought and logic, pondered on the problem of the modern China's social reform and made great efforts on it. This thesis provides a concise research on his social reform program. It contains six parts.Part one: The background of Ting Wen-chiang's ideology on the social reform. At the end of the 19th century, Ting Wen-chiang was edified not only by the Confucian culture, but also by the western pragmatism, liberalism and scientific thoughts. The solid foundation of Ting Wen-chiang's Chinese-western culture constituted his thinking source what he advocated social reform later.Part two: Rebuild the social system of value and faith. During the period of the may 4th, facing the significant crisis that existed in China's social morality and faith level, Ting Wen-chiang tried hard to rebuild the social system of value and faith by scientism. Speaking highly of the scientific spirit was just his intention in the polemic between Science and Metaphysics.Part three: Transform the Political model of China's society. In the 1920s, facing the crisis of order that existed in China's social political level, Ting Wen-chiang actively proposed "good governmental doctrine" as the political model of China's social reform. But the gradual reform pattern was unable to change the disorder of politics in China.Part four: The political solution to the national calamity. After the "nine eighteenth" incident, on the problem of resisting Japan, Ting Wen-chiang advocated passive resistance first and demanded firmresistance afterwards. He also advanced many worthwhile proposals on resisting against aggression. In general, his proposals of resisting Japan were patriotic and progressive.Part five: A modernization scheme for reforming the society of China. In the 1930s, Ting Wen-chiang suggested the modernization plans which included setting up the public belief to gain popular support, establishing "the new model dictatorship" to rebuild authority, pursuing "scientific construction" to develop vigorous economy, developing military education and modern production to consolidate national defense. But this scheme was a merely-ideal plan when put into effect.Part six: The characteristics of Ting Wen-chiang's ideology of social reform. This comes as follows: a strong color of scientific rationalism, a gradual road of political reform, a vigorous belief of political elitism, a high level of consciousness of social care.Ting Wen-chiang's ideology of social reform reflects a patriotic scientist's deep care for modern China's future and fate. What was worth affirming abundantly was his strong political responsibility, his firmly scientific rationalism, his high level of consciousness of social care and valuable spirit of exploration which reflected from his thought.