|
Song China was a
unique time in
China’s history.
It witnessed
spectacular
developments in
philosophy,
literature,
education,
urbanization,
commerce,
government, and
sciences and
technology.
However,
national crises
abounded, too.
Humiliating
encounters with
its neighbors
both literally
and figuratively
dwarfed this
otherwise
cultural giant.
Scholars took
upon themselves
the
responsibility
of upkeeping and
safeguarding the
culture and
society. Thus,
various social,
cultural,
technological
factors of the
time interacted
more immediately
but also
intricately with
the tradition of
scholarship and
constituted the
context in which
scholars learned
and grew.
The presentation
will outline the
patterns of
interactions
among these
various factors
as learning
context and
focus on the
prominent
scholars of the
time to
illustrate both
the uniqueness
and diversity.
Linguistic
features will
also be
highlighted in
the discussion.
In sum, Song
scholars found
themselves
consciously
examining their
own growth and
developing,
through
synthesis,
systematic ways
of learning and
studying, thus
set the general
pace for the
generations of
scholars to
come.
|
