Chinese Journal of Sociology ›› 2015, Vol. 35 ›› Issue (4): 103-.

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The Ideas and Practices of “Yanching School” about Sociology of Knowledge: A Comparative Study on Wu Wenzao, Fei Xiaotong, and Li An-che#br#

YANG Qingmei   

  • Online:2015-07-20 Published:2015-07-20
  • Contact: YANG Qingmei, National Institute of Social Development, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. E-mail: qingmei_yang@163.com E-mail:E-mail: qingmei_yang@163.com
  • About author:YANG Qingmei, National Institute of Social Development, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

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Abstract: Sociology of knowledge was introduced to China by some professors and students of sociology at Yanching University in the 1930s. Its introduction was seen as a tool for constructing a social scientific framework of knowledge in Chinese studies, which would cover community studies of Han Chinese, ethnic studies and overseas studies. The three parts shared a character in common: the approach of comparative studies of sociology of knowledge. Under this approach, the sociologists of “Yanching School” focused on the ethos of community or nation and how ethos were diversely expressed through different kinds of relationships between ideas and institutions. It is through the comparative study of social ethos that the pluralistic structure of Chinese civilization could be examined. To reveal this method specifically, this paper offers a comparative analysis of three key figures’ works from “Yanching School”: Wu Wenzao, Fei Xiaotong and Li Anche. These three sociologists developed their own unique path of empirical studies of sociology of knowledge. Wu was a follower of Karl Mannheim and believed that society constrains knowledge and intelligentsia, leading to a type of statism that trusts state to function as a reformer above society through action. Fei seemed to waver between Mannheim and Max Weber until the 1950s. In his late years, Fei began paying attention to New Confucianism and suggested that social science should borrow from hermeneutics and study the question of “Mind”. At this time, Fei actually went back to Zhang Dongsun for the same inquiries. Li was originally the most faithful follower of Mannheim of the three, but he soon turned to Weber under the influence of Zhang Dongsun. He was interested in how the entire system of knowledge was being interpreted and internalized at different levels of society, whether they were elite intelligentsia, the dominant class or common people. All three sociologists cared for the same question: did Chinese civilization achieve its internal order through combining and organizing various types of knowledge system? With the enormous complicity of modern society, it would be a good idea to incorporate sociology of knowledge and community studies. It will help deepen our understanding of state and society. Sociologists of Yanching School have given us a good start already.

Key words: sociology of knowledge, Fei Xiaotong, “Yanching School”, Li An-che, Wu Wenzao