One of my thoughts, being knowledgeable in literature: the academic foundation of Gu Yanwu’s poetics

We know that “wen” has a broad and narrow sense in ancient China. The broad sense refers to civilization and culture. In a narrow sense, it refers to literature and writing. With the passage of time, the connotation of "wen" gradually tilts towards a narrower sense, which means literary writing. However, Gu Yanwu here used the method of consecrating scriptures to re-distinguish the "wen" of culture in the Confucian tradition from the "wen" of literature in the contemporary context. Wen first means culture, which is reflected in ethics, rituals and music. It is the value benchmark for Tinglin's lifelong study and practice, and is regarded by him as the foundation of scholarship. His understanding of literature is the same as that of all scholars. His goal is to clarify the truth and save the world first, rather than the words and phrases themselves. He claimed that ever since he read the words of Liu Zhixun's descendants, "he has given up on writing, so he cultivates his knowledge and does not fall into the category of literati." Gu Yanwu believes that learning lies in "being knowledgeable in literature", and "being knowledgeable in literature" means "something that oneself and even the world and the country can learn". One should read "the classics of saints, the annotations of previous Confucians and the history of previous generations", and should "learn more in literature". We should pursue practical learning, and we must be familiar with astronomy, geography, military affairs, agriculture, water and soil, and the laws of a generation." He also pointed out: "People are learning, and if they don't make progress every day, they will retreat every day." If a person "studies alone without friends, he will be lonely and unable to succeed...if he neither leaves home nor studies, he will be a man who faces a wall...and will ultimately be of no use to the world."

Times have changed, and Gu Yanwu’s literary outlook and creative attitude can’t help but seem a bit narrow and even unhuman. However, in the cultural salvation atmosphere of the early Qing Dynasty, it was the mainstream consciousness that was consistent with the spirit of the times. It is precisely based on this idea that Gu Yanwu's poetics has become a typical embodiment of the poetic spirit during the Ming and Qing dynasties in terms of moral orientation and academic methods.

Impressions 2: There is a sense of shame in doing one's own conduct: the moral bottom line of "temperament"

The moral education perspective of "There is a sense of shame in doing one's own conduct" Gu Yanwu believes: "The cause of chaos in the country is the birth of "The fundamental plan for the people" is first of all to "act with shame on everyone." He pointed out: "If you are not honest, you will do everything, and if you are not shameful, you will do everything. If people do this, they will suffer disaster, chaos and destruction... Then the world will not be in chaos, and the country will not be destroyed." And "Do what you want." "Shame" means "not to be ashamed of bad food and clothing, but not to be ashamed of others"; "having shame in one's own behavior" as the foundation of one's life should be formed in people's daily life and action practice, that is, "self-disgrace" It is shameful for sons, ministers, brothers and friends to come in and out, come and go, accept and accept, take and give away." He believed that "if the court is enlightened, the scholars will have integrity; if the scholars are honest, then the world will have customs." Gu Yanwu first emphasized that people should have true temperament, and the focus should be on the subject.

Mr. Gu Yanwu believes that both “learning” and “promoting the world” require the courage to pioneer and innovate. In the article, he dared to criticize the shortcomings that existed in the academic world at that time, denounced the shameless behavior of some scholars for empty talk and seeking fame, advocated the academic ethics of being knowledgeable and shameless, and provided some guidance for us to reflect on academic anomie and purify the academic environment today. Meaningful revelations.