The Critique of Confucianism and the Reappraisal of Tradition in Modern China

In this article we try to analyse the anti-confucian discours in the period of New culture movement 新文化運動 of modem China. The anti-confucian intellectuals of 'New Youth 新靑年' Review believed that Confucianism is a enemy to be defeated to introduce modem Western culture in China. They firmly believed that modem Western culture is the only right way to overcome Chinese culture's stalemate. Naturally, however, there existed reversals from the camp of traditional conservatists. Yang Shu-ming 梁漱溟one of the representatives of traditionalists camp, assented to the criticism raised by anti-traditionalists. Even thought he was somewhat critical to the anti-traditionalist's criticism, he saw the truth in their criticism to traditional Chinese way of life. In this respect Yang's conservatism shares much to anti-traditionalism of the period. Lastly, we will try to consider the meaning of re-evaluation of tradition through examining the debates on anti-traditionalism of modem period