Abstract:
A fresh common concern has taken shape in Chinese theoretical world why Chinese society lacks “public” culture and ideology, what is the original meaning of “public” and “private” in Chinese life and why traditional Chinese culture failed to develop a “civic society” like modern Western society. To answer these questions, some new revolutionary position and approach of modern public philosophy should be introduced to make a comparative investigation of those leading public values of Chinese and Western societies in terms of historical generation of public social perceptions in modern universalism so as to thoroughly analyze those deep cultural motivations behind the public idea and alternative conduct of social members. Only in this way can we provide a referential and effective understanding for common people of contemporary Chinese society who are struggling hard with market economy and globalization to cultivate a sense of public spirit, justice and public personality.
