Abstract:

It is a fundamental problem for contemporary Chinese philosophy in constructing philosophy as a discipline and Chinese philosophy to embody Chinese spirit and Chinese characteristics and promote the status and influence of Chinese philosophy in the history of world philosophy while absorbing and integrating Western academic achievements. Based on his comparative study and deep reflection of Chinese and Western classical, modern and contemporary philosophy, ZHANG Shi-ying has constructed his “philosophy of hope” that breaks through the fixed conceptual framework, surpasses the reality and expands the future in a grand and rigorous way of philosophical thinking and integrating Western and Chinese philosophy. ZHANG’s “philosophy of hope” is a philosophical system with originality, inheriting the philosophical tradition of XIONG Shi-li and FENG You-lan and discovering the unique value and positive significance of Chinese philosophy in today’s world philosophy. This paper explores the core thought and historical contribution of ZHANG’s “philosophy of hope” from the following four perspectives: “to replace abstract philosophy with poetic philosophy”, “to make unlimited pursuit in the limited space and time”, “to achieve the highest freedom with aesthetic appreciation” and “to experience the divine beauty at present”.

Key words: ZHANG Shi-ying, philosophy of hope, Chinese philosophy, the unity of all things, Heidegger, holiness of beauty