For the Confucianist Scholarship, how to keep pace with the times? My opinion is that today's Confucian studies should be put under a post-modernist perspective or vision, and we can go even further as calling for the "building of a post-modernist Confucian system". Such a "post-modernist" idea related with Confucian studies needs a little explanation, for it is not a concept in traditional western thinking. "Post-modernism", in the West, is a historical concept in relation to "modernism" following ancient Greece, ancient Rome, Middle Ages, Renaissance and Enlightenment. Now, when put together with Confucian traditions, we should say "post-modernism" is more a concept of space. That is, Confucian studies should go global in today's post-modernist times to become a world human value and go beyond geographical limits of China and Asia.

Why "go global"? This is actually a matter independent of the tradition of Confucian thinking itself and the will of Confucian scholars. Confucianism never has the inclination of expansion as displayed in Christianity, so its expansion will be a natural result of the realities of globalization and post-modernism. Globalization is a highly complicated reality full of conflicts and intense competition. Such a reality, in cultural aspect, poses a challenge to Confucianism. To reject the challenge or even escape from it will only bring doom to oneself and the lost of position.

Confucianist studies must exchange views with post-modernist schools. Such dialogue and communication don't mean, as in the popular mode, to regard oneself with western concepts, enter western discourse structure or squeeze Confucian philosophy into western mindset. But it refers to use one's own discourse structure, cosmology, methodology and way of thinking to discuss modern questions, practical matters concerned by western post-modernist schools and various problems troubling mankind in the reality of globalization. Such a challenge requires Confucianism researchers to broaden their vision so as to bring Confucian doctrines globally in a post-modernist time.

To have a post-modernist vision, an extended system is needed. Such extension requires Confucian philosophy not to limit itself in historical language and past questions. Its revival today should by no means a simple repeat of history or ancient structure. Obsolete mentality, conservatism and failure to cope with present-day realities will only bring the studies nowhere. A bright future of today's Confucian philosophy only lies in the re-interpretation of its profound philosophical, ideological and cultural significance with modern language and bring its essence into play by modern discourse so as to lend it the capability of explaining and solving practical questions and providing a useful option for mankind to understand their way ahead.

Now we are living in a world where various civilizations co-exist. For Confucianism, to keep pace with the times means to have full self-esteem and confidence when stepping out to exchange with all civilizations. Here lies the common future of Confucianism and Asian human traditions. We should try to remould other schools of thinking in the spirit of Confucianist moderation and harmony, and draw from their essence to make them useful to ourselves. Only by "going global" can Confucianist tradition establish itself as an ideology acclaimed by various world civilizations so as to realize its universal value.

This comment by Tian Chenshan, professor with the University of Hawaii, is carried on the front page of People's Daily Overseas Edition, Feb. 25, and is translated by People's Daily Online.