In the thousands of years of Chinese civilization history，Confucianism represented by Confucius’ thoughts，As a distinctive background that lasts for a long time。Across time and space、In the process of cross-border Sino-Western dialogue，Confucius’ thought is also a thought that will last forever with the baptism of time、Enduring theme。In academia，It has therefore been evaluated as "China's great gift to the world"。The process of cross-domain spread of Confucius’ thoughts，Witnessed an important history of exchange between Chinese and Western cultures。To analyze the cross-regional and cross-cultural significance of Confucius’ thoughts，Our reporter recently conducted an exclusive interview with an academician of the European Academy of Sciences who has long been committed to the study of cultural exchanges between China and the West、Alfred Hornung, Professor, Department of English and Linguistics, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Germany。

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"Chinese Social Sciences Journal": Could you please introduce the early translation of Confucian classics in Europe、Dissemination and Research Process？From a world historical perspective，Why Confucius’ thought was so attractive to early European intellectuals，And played an important role in the development of European culture？

Hornung:Since the successful discovery of the American continent and the establishment of colonies there in the 15th century，European powers are increasingly trying to colonize the world。A Eurocentric worldview was born，This worldview ignores the “original characteristics” unique to other countries and cultures。However，With Marco Polo and others coming to China during the Yuan Dynasty，Westerners’ curiosity and desire to explore the Eastern world are awakened。

1298 years，The manuscript of "The Travels of Marco Polo" is completed。Under the influence of this work，Western Jesuit missionaries came to China from Rome one after another。In order to dialogue with Chinese officials and scholars、Communicate with the public，Achieve missionary purpose，These missionaries began to learn Chinese and read a lot of Confucius' works。After returning to China, they gradually spread Confucius’ thoughts to the West。

As time goes by，European academic circles are paying more and more attention to the complete content of Confucianism。Later，Four Jesuit missionaries—Yin Duoze of Italy、Belgian Baiyingli and Rougeman、Enrige of Austria，Through a series of efforts，Translated most of Confucius' works into Latin。In the process of completing these major translation projects，They must be in Latin, the lingua franca of European academia、Convert back and forth between their respective native languages ​​and Chinese。Finally，With the support of King Louis XIV of France，A great work appeared in Paris in 1687，That is, Bet365 app download the earliest Western version of Confucius's "The Analects" - the Latin version of "Chinese Philosopher Confucius: Explaining Chinese Wisdom in Latin" (Confucius Sinarum Philosophus, Sive, Scientia Sinensis, Latine Exposita）。This work includes the Latin translations of "The Analects", "The Great Learning" and "The Doctrine of the Mean"。This is the first translation of Confucian classics published in Europe。

From a world historical perspective，The publication of this translation has far-reaching significance in two aspects。On the one hand，Under the influence of Confucian concepts，The French cultural world has shifted from being dominated by religion to being more secular、The direction of reality。On the other hand，This work provides a philosophical foundation for the transformation of Louis XIV’s overseas mission。France’s attention has shifted from focusing on North America in the past to the attractive East。

Once this translation was published, it immediately had an impact among European scholars who were proficient in Latin，French and English translations soon followed。French scholar Bernier used this translation as the basis，Translate the contents of "The Analects", "The Great Learning" and "The Doctrine of the Mean" into French，That is, "Introduction to the Analects of Confucius"，Expanded the audience group and reading scope of "The Analects"。French academic circles have thus started to pay attention to Confucianism、The craze for studying Chinese culture。Some French thinkers such as Voltaire、Montesquieu and others have interpreted Confucian classics，This had a profound impact on the evolution of European philosophical thought。It should be said，For many European and American intellectuals，Confucius’ moral values ​​represent an alternative to Western religious belief systems and corrupt monarchies。

　　The Enlightenment period influenced European intellectuals

"China Social Sciences Journal": You stated in a previous article，After Confucius’ teachings spread across cultures and national boundaries to Europe，Constitutes the external foundation of the new ideas of the Enlightenment。Specifically，Which European intellectuals have what kind of cross-cultural interpretation of Confucius’ thoughts？

Hornung:Talking about the rise of the European Enlightenment，Intellectuals in Latin academic circles were the first Europeans to be deeply inspired by Confucius’ thoughts。By reading the works of Confucius，This group recognizes，It is necessary to convey the pragmatism contained in Confucius’ philosophy to the broad masses of people outside the academic world。The widespread dissemination of Confucius’ teachings inspired the enthusiasm of European intellectuals，They try to change traditional religious education by urging members of society to engage in practical learning。The result is，Oriental philosophy represented by Confucius’ thought has added a new philosophical form to traditional European philosophy，The concept of "practical philosophy" - compared with European philosophy，Confucius’ thought has more practical elements，Combining philosophical ideas with concrete applications。Confucius’ famous saying “Learn and practice from time to time”，Very happy？” and the “talk less, do more” that it advocates，It is still regarded as the best example of “practice first” by many European intellectuals。

It can be said，Confucius’ thought is the stance of public life and moral behavior during the European Enlightenment，Building a new cultural bridge different from the Catholic Church and the monarchy。Philosophers during the European Enlightenment readily accepted the teachings and enlightenment contained in Confucius's works，Strive to practice and promote an alternative to traditional religious precepts and rule。On the influence of Confucius’ thoughts on the European Enlightenment，Like its role in the evolution history of rationalism，The views of several European and American scholars can be used as examples。Among them，German scholar Adolf Reichwein on the sinicization of the Jesuits、Theme is the contact between China and European culture in the 18th century，Conducted related discussions，Others include American historian Donald F.Donald F. Lach) and British novelist Paul Bailey, etc.。

Voltaire is particularly worth mentioning。As a firm supporter of Chinese culture、Pioneer of the European Enlightenment，Voltaire is known as the "Confucius of France"。Out of appreciation and reverence for Confucius，He sees himself as an enthusiastic recipient of Confucius’ thoughts，Even calls himself a “disciple of Confucius”。He thinks，Confucius’ thought is a very useful supplement to the European ideological system。He sees himself as an enthusiastic recipient of Confucius’ thoughts，And advocate this practice starting from etiquette education，Then extending to families and social groups。Voltaire advocated deism，Criticizing the sins and prejudices of the Catholic Church，Confucius is a key figure in the formation of his thoughts。In his opinion，Confucius is good at using moral appeal and persuasion to influence others，Not through irrational religious fanaticism or moral bondage。Voltaire strongly praised Confucius’ views on ancient China’s political system。In his opinion，China’s civil service system allows ordinary people at the bottom to join the ruling class through promotion，This is difficult to achieve in Europe。

　　Influence covers multiple fields

"China Social Sciences Journal": Talking about the practicality of Confucius' thought，German Philosopher、Mathematician、Logician Leibniz once said，In applying ethical and political principles to real life、Daily life and political norms，Chinese people do surpass Westerners。How do you interpret this？

Hornung:Leibniz did say this。As one of the greatest "encyclopedic" scholars in Europe，Leibniz had a strong interest in the application of Chinese things and concepts in reality。French scholar René Etiemble said of him: "Around 1700，Among those paying attention to China，Leibniz undoubtedly knows the truth best、The most fair and reasonable one。”Leibniz firmly believed，The influence of Chinese cultural elements such as Confucius’ thoughts is not limited to the fields of humanities such as philosophy，Also covers multiple fields of natural science。He thinks，The strengths of European culture are speculation and mathematics，The strengths of Chinese culture are practicality and experience。

At the same time，Leibniz believes，“Principle” in Confucian practical philosophy，It is the highest principle of natural theology。Chinese people’s pursuit of “reason”，Consistent with what Christianity calls “God”。Chinese people’s pursuit of “reason”，Spread Chinese philosophy to Europe，Developed Europe’s modern philosophical system。In addition，Everyone knows，The binary number system commonly used in today’s computer systems was invented by Leibniz，But what is less known is，Leibniz’s binary system theory is deeply inspired by the binary opposition thought in the Chinese Book of Changes。

1697，Leibniz published the Latin version of "Recent Events in China"，Contains 5 letters written by missionaries in China and a report on China by a Russian inspection team，Collected the latest China news available at that time，Introducing China’s internal affairs and diplomacy、Situation in the communication of science, technology and culture。He put forward the view of "cosmopolitanism" in this book，Advocates the use of Chinese as an Esperanto。The book caused a huge sensation in Europe，Became one of the most influential works on China in modern European history。In the book，Leibniz said，China and Europe represent the two peaks of human culture，If China and Europe strengthen cooperation and cultural exchanges，A world of perfect harmony can be achieved。He called the exchange of Eastern and Western civilizations "the exchange of light of civilization"。

　　The spread and influence of Confucianism in the United States

"China Social Sciences Journal": You once said，The founders of the early days of the United States drew much wisdom from the thoughts of Confucius，Therefore, Confucius’ thoughts had a profound impact on the early American political philosophy system and national development。Please explain this。

Hornung:Confucius’ thought was first adopted by the Founding Fathers of the United States、Benjamin Franklin, one of the founding fathers, introduced the United States，And incorporated into the early American political philosophy system，Franklin also enjoys the reputation of "American Confucius"。During negotiations with the British Crown on colonial affairs，Franklin highly admires Confucius’ moral philosophy。After reading The Morals of Confucius translated by a Scottish scholar，Inspired。Franklin strongly agrees with Confucius’s idea of ​​starting from the individual、Family to Country、The "Road to Perfection" in the World。He once used the Confucian adage that "those who want to govern their country must first regulate their family"，He who wants to improve his family must first cultivate his body" as the basis，Explain yourself、Interaction between family and king。He also firmly believes from this，The key to achieving "the highest good" is for every citizen to do his or her part，Play the established role well in an orderly social system。

In addition，Franklin strongly agrees with Confucius’Bet365 app download s views on “cultivating one’s moral character,” “teaching and guiding others,” and “moving towards perfection”。He thinks，As a leader of an emerging republic like the United States, this is exactly what is needed。American people in the era of rationality need self-discipline、Wise politician，They should look to Confucius as a model。In his opinion，Concepts about lifelong education and civic virtue in Confucius’ thoughts，It helped the United States in its early days to get rid of the absolute rule of European monarchs，And help eliminate the religious influence of the Puritan colonists。In the early debates about leadership selection and political institutions in the United States，Franklin advocates the meritocracy contained in Confucius’ thought，Instead of continuing the European hereditary system。In his opinion，This revolutionary shift from hierarchical status and hereditary power to ability and virtue as leadership evaluation criteria，Able to ensure social harmony to the greatest extent。

In two issues of the Pennsylvania Gazette, April 1737，Franklin published a summary of his readings on Confucius’ thought。In a letter to Whitfield, a missionary in the American colonies at that time，Franklin spoke highly of Confucius and his moral philosophy。He wrote: "When you see your country sinking，When all kinds of evil tendencies are rampant，He is committed to educating the upper class。He uses his own theories to guide them towards nobility，The general public followed their example。This method has had a great impact on mankind。”After thoroughly reading and studying Confucius’ works，Proposed by Franklin，Human beings “need to reach the perfect pinnacle of wisdom through Confucius’ moral philosophy”。He described Confucius as a brilliant "oriental reformer"，And evaluated the book "The Morality of Confucius" as "one of the best academic works left in that country"。

Except Franklin，The other three presidents in the early days of the United States, John Adams、Thomas Jefferson and James Madison also understood Confucius’ thoughts，And in his political ideas about the development prospects of the United States，Absorbing and applying elements of Confucius’ thought。Adams and Jefferson discussed in correspondence "the precise meaning of the core terms of Confucian ethics"。In the scrapbooks collected during Jefferson’s presidency，People discovered the ancient Chinese poems compiled by Confucius。And Madison hung a portrait of Confucius in his office。The acceptance of Confucian thought by all these early American politicians，Reflects the history of changes in American political and social concepts from the 19th to the 20th centuries。

　"China Social Sciences Journal": What do you think，Confucius’ thoughts also have a profound impact on modern American literary circles，Became a key factor in the beginning of Western modernism and the rise of the Imagist movement。For example，The creation of the American Imagist poet Ezra Pound is inseparable from the inspiration of Confucius’ thoughts。Can you elaborate？

Hornung:Pound’s lifelong fascination with Confucius began in London in the early 20th century。Experience of reading Confucius’ works，Became the starting point for his first contact with Chinese poetry。1913，American art historian、The widow of philosopher and sociologist Ernest Fenollosa extended an invitation to Pound，Ask him to edit and publish Finollosa's manuscript "The Chinese Written Character as a Medium for Poetry"。At that time，Pound has read four French translations of Confucius' classics。To the 1930s，Pound has mastered Chinese，Later translated "The Analects" in 1950，This became an important turning point in the history of English translation of The Analects in the West。

Pound’s study of Confucius’ works，Witnessed his interaction with Chinese poetry and the cross-cultural collision between East and West。Pound once edited the Imagist publication "The Egocentric"，In related articles，He pointed out the important influence of Eastern thought represented by Confucius’ thought on the progress of modern literature in the world。In the long poem "Cantos" which he spent his whole life writing，Pound compares China’s long dynasties with the short history of democracy in the United States，Emphasized the importance of Confucian thought to the revival of the West。It can be said，Confucius’ thoughts deeply influenced Pound’s career as an editor and his modern poetry creation activities。Under the leadership of Pound，More and more Western writers are interested in Chinese poetry and Asian literature，Thus, to a certain extent, it contributed to the beginning of Western modernism and the emergence of the Imagist movement。

　　The context of globalization confirms the rationality of “harmony without uniformity”

"Chinese Social Sciences Journal": From an interdisciplinary perspective，What do you think about philosophy、Politics、Law、How literature and other humanities and social science fields are related to each other and to various categories in the natural science field、mutual influence？For example，The philosophical ideas held by national decision-makers will affect their worldview、Values，Thus influencing or even determining their behavior and decisions，And then dominate the political direction of a country。How do you interpret this？

Hornung:Philosophy、Politics、Law、There are undoubtedly inextricable connections within the fields of literature and other humanities and social sciences。The spread of Confucius’ thoughts in European and American countries that I described above reflects this interdisciplinary perspective。British astronomer、Thoughts by architect Christopher Wren，Confucius’ thought has its inherent characteristics，Provides an alternative to Western democratic pluralism。Wren calls Confucius "an ancient Marx"。Everyone knows，Marx was both a philosopher and a politician。Marx while analyzing the interaction between economic base and superstructure，Also familiar with literary classics such as Greek tragedies and Shakespeare’s plays。Same，Confucius’ thoughts have not only entered the homes of ordinary people，It also provides wisdom and nourishment for governing the country。Harmonious cooperation between philosophers and rulers promoted by Confucian concepts，Accompanied by most dynasties in ancient China，It also makes it possible to adapt Confucius’ thoughts around the world。

The politician's identity as a philosopher，Tend to associate the abstract world of ideas with realistic natural materials。They will switch between these two areas and the many areas related to them，Benefit from wise thoughts，And translate it into decisions and actions。In the process of human history，There were many philosophers whose remarks influenced the rulers at that time。The Greek philosopher Plato proposed the concept of "Philosopher King" in "The Republic"，And demonstrated the relationship between philosophy and politics。

What needs to be pointed out is，In some specific situations，There are also examples where philosophical thinking and practical political thinking are not unified，And the resulting differences among political rulers and the silence of public intellectuals。In this case，Philosophical thoughts may turn into extreme ideologies，For example, fascism，Thus leading to the destruction of a certain civilization and the end of society。However，Most of the time，Philosophy、Politics、Many categories in the fields of humanities and social sciences such as literature and natural sciences，Guided by the common goal of human welfare，Ability to interact in a harmonious manner、Penetrate each other。In today’s global context，East and West、Although there are many differences between humanities and science，But the interactions between each other are becoming more frequent，Even inseparable，This is increasingly recognized by people，It also further confirms the rationality of Confucius’ view of “harmony without uniformity”。