Consolidating the Civilizational Foundation for Constructing an Independent Knowledge System of Chinese Philosophy and Social Sciences

General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out in his speech at the Symposium on Philosophy and Social Sciences: “Chinese civilization continues the spiritual bloodline of our country and nation. It requires not only passing down from generation to generation and guarding from age to age, but also advancing with the times and innovating. We must strengthen the excavation and elucidation of fine traditional Chinese culture, so that the most basic cultural genes of the Chinese nation adapt to contemporary culture and coordinate with modern society, and carry forward the cultural spirit that transcends time and space, goes beyond national borders, possesses eternal charm, and has contemporary value.” We must take Xi Jinping Thought on Culture as the fundamental guide, adhere to the integration of the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities and with fine traditional Chinese culture, elucidate the continuity, innovativeness, unity, inclusiveness, and peaceful nature of Chinese civilization, activate the vitality of Chinese civilization with the spirit of harmony and cooperation [1]1 The spirit of harmony and cooperation (和合精神) is a core concept in Chinese philosophy emphasizing the integration and coexistence of differences to achieve balance and unity., and enable it to blend and learn from the diverse civilizations of other countries, thereby consolidating the civilizational foundation for constructing an independent knowledge system of Chinese philosophy and social sciences. We must strengthen the international dissemination of Chinese thought, guide the international academic community to study and discuss Chinese issues, and better demonstrate the national characteristics, spirit of the times, and world significance of the independent knowledge system of Chinese philosophy and social sciences.

习近平总书记在哲学社会科学工作座谈会上的讲话中指出：“中华文明延续着我们国家和民族的精神血脉，既需要薪火相传、代代守护，也需要与时俱进、推陈出新。要加强对中华优秀传统文化的挖掘和阐发，使中华民族最基本的文化基因与当代文化相适应、与现代社会相协调，把跨越时空、超越国界、富有永恒魅力、具有当代价值的文化精神弘扬起来。”我们要以习近平文化思想为根本遵循，坚持马克思主义基本原理同中国具体实际、同中华优秀传统文化相结合，阐明中华文明的连续性、创新性、统一性、包容性、和平性，以和合精神激活中华文明的生命力，使之与各国多彩文明交融互鉴，夯实构建中国哲学社会科学自主知识体系的文明根基。加强中国思想的国际传播，引导国际学术界研究和讨论中国问题，更好展现中国哲学社会科学自主知识体系的民族特色、时代精神和世界意义。

Promoting the Deep Integration and Innovative Development of Marxism with Fine Traditional Chinese Culture

推动马克思主义同中华优秀传统文化深度结合、创新发展

In the arduous and glorious quest of the Chinese nation, from anxiety and reflection to inquiry, seeking, and enlightenment of the Way [2]2 The Way (道) is a fundamental concept in Chinese philosophy, particularly in Daoism and Confucianism, referring to the natural order, path, or ultimate principle of the universe., the philosophical thinking condensed through profound and repeated practice is both broad and refined, and its practical wisdom of “reaching the highest subtlety while following the middle course” [3]3 “Reaching the highest subtlety while following the middle course” (极高明而道中庸) is a phrase from the Confucian classic *The Doctrine of the Mean*, describing the ideal of combining profound wisdom with practical, balanced conduct. subtly influences people’s daily life world. “When the roots are deep, the branches flourish; when the oil is rich, the light shines brightly” [4]4 “When the roots are deep, the branches flourish; when the oil is rich, the light shines brightly” (根之茂者其实遂，膏之沃者其光晔) is a classical Chinese idiom from Han Yu’s essay *Answer to Li Yi’s Letter*, metaphorically emphasizing the importance of a solid foundation.. Fine traditional Chinese culture is the root and soul, the foundation and substance of the Chinese nation. Its ideas of benevolence, people-centeredness, integrity, justice, harmony, and common good embody the spirit of the Chinese nation and are the foundation for us to stand firm amidst the clash of world cultures. The vitality of Chinese civilization lies in creation, and its development lies in daily application; it is constantly renewed and advances with the times. By making the past serve the present and foreign things serve China, and by enabling Chinese philosophy and social sciences to better reflect inheritance and national character, we can open a new chapter for Chinese civilization in the New Era.

中华民族在苦难辉煌的求索中由忧思而问道、求道、悟道，在钩深致远的反复实践中凝结的哲学思维致广大而尽精微，以极高明而道中庸的实践智慧潜移默化影响着人们的日常生活世界。“根之茂者其实遂，膏之沃者其光晔”，中华优秀传统文化是中华民族的根和魂、本与体，其中讲仁爱、重民本、守诚信、崇正义、尚和合、求大同等思想体现了中华民族的精神，是我们在世界文化激荡中站稳脚跟的根基。中华文明的生命力在于创造，发展在于日用，是不断日新、与时偕行的。坚持古为今用、洋为中用，使中国哲学社会科学更好体现继承性、民族性，方能开出新时代中华文明之新生面。

Over the past century and more, the integration of the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities and with fine traditional Chinese culture has activated the vital factors within fine traditional Chinese culture and endowed them with new contemporary connotations, enabling Marxism sinicized in China to manifest Chinese style and Chinese manner. The integration of the basic tenets of Marxism with fine traditional Chinese culture has created a new cultural life form that is organically unified, opening up vast space for theoretical and practical innovation. Our Party has profoundly summarized the historical experience of adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times, deeply grasped the laws of the development of Chinese civilization, consolidated the subjectivity of Chinese culture, formed a firm self in the cultural sense, provided a fundamental anchor for cultural confidence, and established a powerful cultural force that guides the development of the times.

百余年来，马克思主义基本原理同中国具体实际、同中华优秀传统文化相结合，激活了中华优秀传统文化中富有生命力的优秀因子并赋予新的时代内涵，使在中国具体化的马克思主义彰显了中国风格和中国气派。马克思主义基本原理同中华优秀传统文化相结合，造就了一个有机统一的新的文化生命体，开启了广阔的理论和实践创新空间。我们党深刻总结马克思主义中国化时代化历史经验，深刻把握中华文明发展规律，巩固了中华文化主体性，形成了文化意义上坚定的自我，使文化自信有了根本依托，确立了引领时代发展的强大文化力量。

To construct an independent knowledge system of Chinese philosophy and social sciences, we must consolidate the civilizational foundation of Chinese civilization that is integrated with the basic tenets of Marxism. Observe the trends of contemporary Chinese philosophy and social sciences within the grand history of world and Chinese development, promote social development and civilizational progress through the knowledge transformation and ideological guidance of philosophy and social sciences, inherit the vast cultural heritage left by periods of academic and ideological prosperity in the history of Chinese civilization, and deeply comprehend the rich philosophical and social science content and wisdom of state governance contained therein. Based on the reality of Chinese ideological development, tell the story of China’s economic and social development and cultural creation, elucidate the rediscovery of academic issues by Chinese discourse, discuss the wisdom of Chinese thought in resolving problems and crises of different eras, and express the value pursuit of Chinese scholars for the ideal of settling down and getting on with their pursuits and the spiritual home.

构建中国哲学社会科学自主知识体系，要夯实同马克思主义基本原理相结合的中华文明根基。在世界和我国发展大历史中观察当代中国哲学社会科学趋势，以哲学社会科学的知识变革和思想先导推动社会发展和文明进步，传承中华文明史上学术思想繁荣时期留下的浩如烟海的文化遗产，深刻领悟其中包含的丰富的哲学社会科学内容、治国理政智慧。立足中国思想发展的现实，讲好中国经济社会发展和文化创造的故事，阐明中国话语对学术问题的重新发现，论述中国思想对不同时代问题与危机的智慧化解之道，表明中国学人对安身立命的价值理想和精神家园的价值追求。

Today, to stand at the forefront of the times, understand the changes of the past and present, and give voice to pioneering thoughts, we must elucidate the spirit of the times inherent in the knowledge, wisdom, and rational speculation accumulated by the Chinese people over thousands of years, so that Chinese philosophy and social sciences, which embody national character, meet the requirements of contemporary China and the world today, and answer the questions of China, the world, the people, and the times. Deeply study major issues related to the national economy and people’s livelihood, actively explore major issues concerning the future and destiny of humanity, actively promote the development of socialism with Chinese characteristics, inherit and carry forward the essence of fine traditional Chinese culture, and form academic propositions, academic thoughts, academic viewpoints, academic standards, and academic discourse that are compatible with the development of Chinese-path modernization.

今天，立时代之潮头、通古今之变化、发思想之先声，要阐发中国人几千年来积累的知识智慧和理性思辨的时代精神，使体现民族性的中国哲学社会科学符合当代中国和当今世界发展要求，回答中国之问、世界之问、人民之问、时代之问。深入研究关系国计民生的重大课题，积极探索关系人类前途命运的重大问题，积极推进中国特色社会主义发展，继承和弘扬中华优秀传统文化精华，形成与中国式现代化发展相适应的学术命题、学术思想、学术观点、学术标准、学术话语。

On this basis, refine and present the spiritual symbols and cultural essence of Chinese civilization, strengthen civilizational dialogue with an inclusive attitude of “the sea admitting all rivers” [5]5 “The sea admitting all rivers” (海纳百川) is a Chinese idiom symbolizing broad-mindedness and inclusiveness, often attributed to the statesman Lin Zexu. and a broad mind of “appreciating the beauty of others while sharing one’s own” [6]6 “Appreciating the beauty of others while sharing one’s own” (美美与共) is a phrase from sociologist Fei Xiaotong, advocating mutual respect and appreciation among different cultures., and through comparison, contrast, critique, absorption, and sublimation, promote the development of human civilization with the approach of mutual respect, working together with one heart, and harmonious coexistence, and carry forward the cultural spirit that transcends time and space, goes beyond national borders, possesses eternal charm, and has contemporary value. Understand the process of world civilization development from deeper levels and broader fields, and summarize the regular characteristics of creating a new form of human civilization. Deeply understand the important influence of Chinese civilization on world civilization, transcend civilizational estrangement through civilizational exchange, transcend civilizational conflict through civilizational mutual learning, transcend civilizational superiority through civilizational coexistence, promote civilizational exchange and mutual learning with the knowledge system of building a community with a shared future for mankind, and enhance the influence of the independent knowledge system of Chinese philosophy and social sciences in solving world problems.

在此基础上，提炼和展示中华文明的精神标识和文化精髓，以海纳百川的包容心态和美美与共的博大胸怀加强文明对话，通过比较、对照、批判、吸收、升华，以互相尊重、和衷共济、和合共生的思路促进人类文明发展，弘扬跨越时空、超越国界、富有永恒魅力、具有当代价值的文化精神。从更深层次和更广领域理解世界文明发展进程，归纳创造人类文明新形态的规律性特征。深刻理解中华文明对世界文明的重要影响，以文明交流超越文明隔阂，以文明互鉴超越文明冲突，以文明共存超越文明优越，以构建人类命运共同体的知识体系促进文明交流互鉴，在解决世界性问题中增强中国哲学社会科学自主知识体系的影响力。

Promoting Civilizational Exchange and Mutual Learning with the Knowledge System of Building a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind

以构建人类命运共同体的知识体系促进文明交流互鉴

General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out during his inspection at Renmin University of China: “Accelerating the construction of philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics is, in the final analysis, constructing China’s independent knowledge system.” We must base ourselves on China’s reality, firmly establish the subjectivity of Chinese culture, uphold the scientific method of the Two Integrations [7]7 The Two Integrations (两个结合) refers to the integration of the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities and with fine traditional Chinese culture, a key theoretical principle of the CPC., construct an independent knowledge system of Chinese philosophy and social sciences that covers all aspects, all fields, and all elements, comprehensively advance the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation with Chinese-path modernization, create a new form of human civilization, and build a community with a shared future for mankind.

习近平总书记在中国人民大学考察时指出：“加快构建中国特色哲学社会科学，归根结底是建构中国自主的知识体系。”我们要立足中国实际，坚定中华文化主体性，秉持“两个结合”的科学方法，构建涵盖全方位、全领域、全要素的中国哲学社会科学自主知识体系，以中国式现代化全面推进中华民族伟大复兴，创造人类文明新形态，构建人类命运共同体。

The proposal of the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind embodies the common aspiration of the world’s people and focuses on safeguarding the long-term interests of humanity. “The five flavors are diverse, yet they converge in deliciousness; the myriad variations are many, yet they converge in harmony” [8]8 “The five flavors are diverse, yet they converge in deliciousness; the myriad variations are many, yet they converge in harmony” (五味万殊，而大同于美；曲变虽众，亦大同于和) is a classical Chinese expression from the *Book of Jin*, emphasizing unity amidst diversity.. This concept embraces the ways of thinking, values, aesthetic tastes, and ultimate concerns used to contemplate the relationship between humanity and the world. Today, artificial intelligence profoundly affects human life, and people are interdependent, with each having a stake in the other. Only by adhering to joint contribution and shared benefits, common prosperity, and mutual assistance and mutual learning can we resolve the complex conflicts and crises in ecological, social, moral, spiritual, and value fields, escape the disorientation of modernity, steer the ark of humanity toward the realm of a better life, create a future of harmony between East and West and inclusiveness between North and South, and lead the practical creation of a new form of human civilization.

人类命运共同体理念的提出，体现了世界人民的共同愿望，着眼于维护人类长远利益。“五味万殊，而大同于美；曲变虽众，亦大同于和”，这一理念海纳着用以观照人与世界相互关系的思维方式、价值观念、审美情趣和终极关切。今天，人工智能深刻影响人类生活，人们相互依存，你中有我，我中有你。只有坚持共建共享、共达共富、互济互鉴，才能化解生态、社会、道德、精神、价值等领域错综复杂的冲突和危机，才能走出现代性的迷航，使人类的方舟驶向美好生活的境域，才能开创东西和谐、南北包容的未来，引领人类文明新形态的实践创造。

The concept of a community with a shared future for mankind embodies the essence and primary value of the thought of harmony and cooperation in fine traditional Chinese culture. The thought of harmony and cooperation reflects the mutual integration and conflict of various forms and formless forms in nature, society, interpersonal relations, the mind, and civilization, and in the dynamic process of change, these forms and formless forms harmonize into new structures, new things, and the sum total of new life. In the spiritual world of the Chinese people, there has been a pursuit of eternal human values since ancient times, reflecting a value ideal world of shared destiny. It can be said that the discussions of ancient Chinese sages on “harmony generates things” [9]9 “Harmony generates things” (和实生物) is a phrase from the *Guoyu* (Discourses of the States), an ancient Chinese text, arguing that harmony among differences produces new things., “harmony in diversity” [10]10 “Harmony in diversity” (和而不同) is a Confucian concept from the *Analects*, advocating harmonious coexistence without requiring uniformity., and “the harmony of yin and yang” [11]11 “The harmony of yin and yang” (阴阳和德) is a concept from classical Chinese cosmology, referring to the balanced interaction of opposing forces that generates vitality and order. profoundly demonstrate the life wisdom of harmonious development, and creatively transforming and innovatively developing them is an excellent way to promote fine traditional Chinese culture.

人类命运共同体理念体现了中华优秀传统文化中和合思想的精髓和首要价值。和合思想反映了自然、社会、人际、心灵、文明中诸形相和无形相的相互融突，在融突的动态变易过程中诸形相和无形相和合为新结构方式、新事物、新生命的总和。在中国人的精神世界里，自古以来就有对人类永恒价值的追求，体现着命运与共的价值理想世界。可以说，中国的往圣前贤关于“和实生物”“和而不同”“阴阳和德”等论述深刻展现了和谐发展的生命智慧，使之创造性转化、创新性发展是弘扬中华优秀传统文化的佳途。

“The more one gives to others, the more one possesses; the more one helps others, the more one gains.” All things in the world interact with each other. Only by fostering harmonious coexistence, harmonious interaction, harmonious establishment, harmonious attainment, and harmonious love, thereby forming a resilient “harmonious strength,” can we gather inexhaustible momentum for the development of human civilization through cooperation and mutual learning. Today, we must uphold the spirit of humanity, fraternity, and dedication embodied in the phrase “bearing virtue selflessly, joining heaven and earth,”[12]12 A classical allusion from Qu Yuan’s poem “Ode to the Orange Tree” (《橘颂》) in the *Chu Ci* (《楚辞》), expressing a spirit of selfless virtue and harmony with nature. transcend cultural differences, and unite the common interests, common values, common aspirations, and common ideals of humanity. By achieving public virtue, public justice, and public fairness through the principle of “attaining one’s own goals by helping others attain theirs,”[13]13 A paraphrase of a Confucian ideal from the *Analects* (《论语》): “The man of virtue, wishing to establish himself, seeks also to establish others; wishing to enlighten himself, seeks also to enlighten others” (己欲立而立人，己欲达而达人). we realize fairness, reasonableness, public law, and public clarity, and promote the building of an open, inclusive, universally beneficial, equal, and win-win community with a shared future. By skillfully integrating collective wisdom and pooling joint strength, through thorough and full consultation, negotiation, deliberation, and discussion, we achieve mutual forgiveness and inclusiveness, resonance and mutual trust, coexistence and mutual respect, cooperation and mutual sincerity, and joint management and mutual restraint, thereby realizing a new realm of human development characterized by co-governance and coexistence, and shared attainment and win-win outcomes.

“既以为人己愈有，既以与人己愈多。”世间万事万物都是相互作用的，只有和生、和处、和立、和达、和爱，形成坚韧的“和实力”，才能在合作互鉴中汇聚人类文明发展的不竭动力。今天，我们要以“秉德无私，参天地兮”的人道、博爱、奉献精神，跨越文化差异，凝聚人类共同利益、共同价值、共同愿望、共同理想，以己达而达人的公德、公义、公正，实现公平、合理、公法、公明，推动建设一个开放、包容、普惠、平等、共赢的命运共同体。妙合众智，凝聚合力，通过深入充分的协商、商洽、商酌、商议，共谅互包、共鸣互信、共存互尊、共事互诚、共管互制，实现共治共处、共达共赢的人类发展新境界。

Today, we must give full play to the unique role of philosophy and social sciences in integrating Chinese and foreign cultures and enhancing exchanges among civilizations, composing a contemporary harmonious symphony of China’s cultural soft power. We must consolidate the civilizational foundation for building an independent knowledge system of Chinese philosophy and social sciences, deeply understand the history of the overseas dissemination of Chinese civilization, grasp the academic value and practical significance of the study of Chinese civilization by countries around the world, and, through solid academic accumulation, profoundly demonstrate that Chinese culture is both historical and contemporary, both national and global. By carrying forward the 5,000-year lineage of Chinese civilization and shouldering the cultural mission of the New Era, we enable the world to better understand “China in philosophy and social sciences” and “China contributing to human civilization,” strengthen the ideological foundation for building a cultural power, and contribute to promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

今天，我们要发挥哲学社会科学在融通中外文化、增进文明交流中的独特作用，谱写中国文化软实力的当代和合乐章。夯实构建中国哲学社会科学自主知识体系的文明根基，深入了解中华文明海外传播史，把握世界各国研究中华文明的学术价值和现实意义，以厚重的学术积淀深刻表明，中华文化既是历史的，也是当代的，既是民族的，也是世界的。赓续5000多年中华文脉，担负起新时代的文化使命，让世界更好地了解“哲学社会科学中的中国”“为人类文明作贡献的中国”，巩固文化强国建设的思想根底，为推动构建人类命运共同体贡献力量。

(The authors are a Distinguished First-Class Professor at Renmin University of China; and Dean and Professor of the School of Philosophy at Renmin University of China.)

（作者系中国人民大学荣誉一级教授；中国人民大学哲学院院长、教授）

Online Editor: Tongxin

网络编辑：同心