This master's thesis conducts an in-depth examination of the concept of zhutixing 主體性 in the writings of contemporary Chinese philosopher Li Zehou 李澤厚 (1930 – 2021). Zhutixing, typically translated as “subjectivity,” takes on a distinct meaning in Li's philosophy, and is referred to as “subjectality.” It serves as the overarching framework through which Li endeavors to reconcile fundamental human dichotomies, including the interplay between freedom and necessity and collective demands and individual aspirations.
The thesis utilizes conceptual history as a methodology to contextualize Li's concept of subjectality within the broader history of the term subjectivity and its translation into Chinese. The research demonstrates the influence of the semantic understanding of the term in Chinese on Li’s interpretation. A careful analysis of Li’s writings follows which pays special attention to the chronological development of Li's concept. It traces the successive incorporation of Kantian, Confucian, liberal, and pragmatic elements into a philosophical framework inspired by the early writings of Karl Marx. It furthermore illustrates influences of academic trends, political events, and Li’s political aspirations on his philosophy. The thesis concludes with a comprehensive evaluation of Li’s philosophical undertaking and suggests the enactivist theory as a valuable resource to address some limitations within Li's works.
This thesis contributes to the research on Li Zehou's philosophy and contemporary Chinese philosophy, especially the intersection of Marxism and Confucianism. It might also be relevant to scholars of conceptual history within the Chinese context, specifically pertaining to the concept of subjectivity.:Table of Content
1. Introduction 1
2. The History of Subjectivity 4
2.1. The European Trajectory 4
2.2. Translating Subjectivity 8
2.3. Survey of Related Discourses 11
2.4. Li’s Self-Positioning in the Discourse on Subjectivity 15
2.5. Negative Outline of Li’s Concept of Subjectality and His Philosophical Placement 21
3. From Subjectivity to Subjectality 22
3.1. The Anthropological Formation of Subjectality 23
3.2. Development of Subjectality in the 1980s 24
3.2.1. The Three Aspects of the Psychological Structure of Subjectality 25
3.2.2. The Structure of Subjectality in his Second Outline 31
3.2.3. Life as the Fundamental Fact and the Philosophy of Eating in Li’s Third and Fourth Outline 35
3.2.4. Political Dimensions of Subjectality in the 1980s 37
3.3. Li Zehou and the Discourse on Subjectivity in China after 1980 39
4. Subjectality in Li’s Mature Phase 43
4.1. Li’s Practical Philosophy 44
4.1.1. Ethics and Morality 45
4.1.2. Theory of Two Morals 48
4.1.3. Universal and Relative 52
4.2. Li’s Utopian Vision 56
4.3. Problems with Harmony of Heaven and Humankind 58
4.4. Li in the Philosophical Discourse of the 21st Century 60
5. Evaluation of Li’s Philosophy of Subjectality 62
5.1. The Role of Subjectality in Li’s Philosophy 62
5.2. Critique of Li’s Aspiration and Scholarly Attitude 63
5.3. Suggestions for Scientific Concretization of Li’s Theory 64
5.4. The Pragmatic and Dynamic Character of Li’s Philosophy 66
6. Glossary of Specific Terms and Phrases 68
7. Bibliography 70
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:DRESDEN/oai:qucosa:de:qucosa:87225 |
| Date | 27 September 2023 |
| Creators | Boehm, Konrad |
| Contributors | Universität Leipzig |
| Source Sets | Hochschulschriftenserver (HSSS) der SLUB Dresden |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersion, doc-type:masterThesis, info:eu-repo/semantics/masterThesis, doc-type:Text |
| Rights | info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess |
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