Main achievements
1. Academic achievements
First of all, Hu Shi summarized the academic research in China in the past three hundred years. He included the compilation of national heritage or the study of Chinese studies into the scope of his "Chinese Renaissance" and published "Shuo Confucianism", which was not only the pinnacle of Hu Shi's scholarship, but also a representative work of achievements in the history of modern Chinese culture in the 1930s. .
Secondly, Hu Shi’s contribution to Chinese philosophy lies in his efforts to realize the modern transformation of traditional Chinese philosophy.
In the history of modern Chinese philosophy, since the creation of Hu Shi, a group of philosophers such as Xiong Shili, Liang Shuming, Feng Youlan, Jin Yuelin and Feng Qi have continued to improve their philosophical thinking. The modernization journey of philosophy also shows the pioneering contribution made by Hu Shi in the modern transformation of traditional Chinese philosophy.
2. Literary achievements
In January 1917, Hu Shi published "A Preliminary Discussion on Literary Reform" in "New Youth". Later, Chen Duxiu raised the banner of "Literary Revolution". These two men became leading figures in the literary revolution. In the literary revolution that advocated vernacular and opposed classical Chinese, Hu Shi was a pioneer and made significant contributions. He is known as the "Father of the Chinese Cultural Revolution."
3. Educational achievements
Hu Shi once taught in colleges and universities, and his disciples include Mou Zongsan, Luo Ergang, Gu Jiegang, Yu Pingbo, Fu Sinian, etc. ? Among them, Gu Jiegang also said that his entire set of academic methods was derived from Hu Shi's "Critical Research on Water Margin".
In the 1930s, Hu Shi had a unique vision and promoted, appointed and helped Liang Shiqiu complete the translation of the complete works of Shakespeare, which was later known as one of Liang Shiqiu's three major contributions to the literary world. Chen Zhifan and Hu Shi were close friends for many years, and he was sponsored by Hu Shi to study in the United States. The letters to Hu Shi are included in "Letter to Hu Shi from University Times". Although Ji Xianlin was not Hu Shi's student, he was promoted by Hu Shi when he returned to China.
Extended information
Hu Shi’s ideological propositions:
1. Experimentalism
Hu Shi studied under the American "experimentalist" master John Dewey's articles are often full of experimentalism and very constructive.
2. Liberalism
Don’t easily deny or affirm other people’s opinions and views, and don’t think that your own views are absolutely correct. Hu Shi wanted to warn people to tolerate dissident voices. The prerequisite for freedom is tolerance, so that society can be truly free.
3. Datongism
Hu Shi believed that the law should be binding on everyone. If we need to govern according to the law, we need the universality of the law.
4. Optimism
Hu Shi did not advocate the inaction of the Eastern saints. Life is about struggle. Even in a desperate situation, we must have a minimum of optimism and confidence in the future. You can be confident step by step and regard every progress as a huge hope. This is Hu Shi's optimism about life.
Reference sources
Baidu Encyclopedia-Hu Shi