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A thought on the socio-cultural meaning of Chinese SF
Journal of Chinese Language and Literature
2019,
(80), pp.107-146
DOI : 10.15792/clsyn..80.201904.107
Publisher : Chinese Literary Society Of Yeong Nam
Research Area : Chinese Language and Literature
DOI : 10.15792/clsyn..80.201904.107
Publisher : Chinese Literary Society Of Yeong Nam
Research Area : Chinese Language and Literature
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The Chinese society has strengthened after decades of internal tensions and external wars. With an epoch-making history of refracted modernization, the Chinese society has challenged itself again to transform completely to bring about a structural change. If we were to discuss the difference between the latter half of the 19th century and the present, it would be the fact that China is seeking “Modernization of Sinicization”. It plans to fulfil this desire by pivoting on its rich culture and breaking away from emulating the West and adopting its methodologies in science and technology. In the first half of the 20th century, the clerisy was deluded to believe that China could drive modernization by simply imitating Western culture. Subsequently, China was ushered into a new era. The initial idealistic belief of imitating Western culture has led to China treading an independent path to modernize on its own merits. Therefore, from a broader perspective, China has entered a stage of “true modernization” by focusing on socio-cultural development shaped by tradition instead of merely importing foreign approaches. It is paradoxical that the Chinese ideology brought about by a misconception of tradition is now perceived as a threat to the rest of the world. While we cannot doubt the significance of reflective thinking on science, which had originated from China’s traditional school of thought, people around the world are concomitantly aware of the value of Chinese culture. In other words, although contemporary Sci-Fi is recognized as a tool to reconstruct and strengthen nationalism, the belittlement of humanism, the decline of morality and the loss of human dignity have collectively attributed to the revitalization of contemporary Sci-Fi and its instrumentality to safeguard humanity. There are three factors contributing to the contemporary “Sci-Fi Fever” phenomenon. First, the existence of modern clerisy who has gained rationality and freedom in creative thinking enabled by “The Chinese Dream”. Second, China has once again become a force to be reckoned with. Third, the decrease in vulnerability, emanated from strong nationalism and unity of its population. Despite the relation between rational thinking and rational behavior, actions cannot be determined by reason alone. We can then learn from China what it means to be truly human.
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