By outdoor-nature-child.com Beijing, October 13 (Xinhua) — The Profound Richness of Pre-Qin Thought: An Interview with American Sinologist Scott Cook
By Ling Yun and Shi Yuanfeng
In today’s interconnected world, the destinies of nations are closely linked, and the coexistence and mutual exchange of different civilizations play a crucial role in advancing modern human society and enriching the tapestry of global culture. Spanning over millennia, Pre-Qin thought has had a profound impact on contemporary cultural discourse, offering significant insights into cultural diversity, modern governance, environmental conservation, personal development, and moral education.
Scott Cook, a professor of Sinology at the Chinese Department of the National University of Singapore and Yale-NUS College, believes that achieving a harmonious global society—a vision where “harmony among differences” prevails—can be understood through the lens of ancient Chinese heritage, particularly Pre-Qin thought. This perspective, he argues, should be considered a core element of the world’s cultural heritage. Recently, we had the opportunity to speak with Cook to explore the implications of Pre-Qin thought on global cultural diversity.
### Two Serendipitous Encounters
Many Chinese people may not be familiar with the “Guodian Chu Jian,” known as the “Treasure of Ancient Chu.” What led an American scholar to embark on a journey to study these ancient texts? Cook traces his interest to two serendipitous encounters.
His academic background is quite unexpected; he initially studied music at both undergraduate and master’s levels before shifting towards Chinese language and literature and eventually delving into Pre-Qin thought.
“I had a passion for music and was good at learning languages, which I combined during my university studies. While learning modern Chinese, I naturally started to explore classical Chinese, leading me to the study of Pre-Qin thought,” Cook recalls.
He finds the classical texts inherently captivating, and the variety of thoughts among the Pre-Qin philosophers deeply compelling. For instance, he emphasizes the unity of Confucian thought, highlighting the concept of “achieving joy through personal cultivation.” This notion suggests that years of self-improvement can culminate in a harmonious state akin to music—a seamless blend of instinctual expression within established boundaries.
The second encounter Cook describes as a “timely discovery.” In 1993, archaeologists conducting rescue excavations in the Guodian tombs of Jingmen, Hubei, unearthed a collection of bamboo slips buried in mud. These slips, identified as bamboo writings from the Warring States period, contained texts related to both Confucian and Daoist teachings, many of which were previously unknown.
The release of the Guodian Chu Jian captured widespread attention, prompting experts in paleography to study and interpret these ancient texts. At the time of their discovery, Cook was a relatively young scholar who had the chance to visit China, where he learned immensely from experts like Qiu Xigui, Li Xueqin, and Li Ling.
With over two millennia of Confucian thought having been studied, Cook realized that deriving fresh, meaningful insights from classical Confucian texts is challenging. The emergence of the Guodian Chu Jian offered him a new lens for exploration.
### A Journey into the “Library of Pre-Qin Thought”
With the advancement of Chinese archaeology, early Chinese civilization is becoming increasingly visible, providing researchers with clearer perspectives on Pre-Qin history and thought. Cook expresses his delight, stating that the cross-referencing of diverse sources allows for a continual re-examination of old questions and a pursuit of new inquiries, akin to embarking on a journey to uncover the Library of Pre-Qin Thought.
When asked how he effectively interprets ancient characters to reconstruct the ideational world of the ancients, Cook admits that the process is complex. Some ancient characters have been deciphered by experts; for instance, the character “仁” (ren) from Chu, which combines elements representing both sound and meaning. However, there remain many characters that are ambiguous, requiring careful consideration of context alongside knowledge of paleography, phonology, and linguistics to arrive at a reliable interpretation. Despite uncertainties, collaborative efforts among scholars enhance the precision of insights, gradually revealing the thoughts of the ancients.
He believes that Western anthropological and archaeological theories can provide valuable new perspectives, although caution is necessary. Notably, Chinese classics and characters possess unique qualities that require thoughtful consideration of how Western theories apply to the study of Chinese texts rather than embracing them blindly.
### The Contemporary Relevance of Ancient Thought
The journey into Pre-Qin thought is solitary and lengthy for every scholar. However, the enduring significance of ancient thought for today’s world infuses their research with contemporary relevance.
Cook points out that after more than two millennia of evolution, Confucius’s image has transformed into something almost mythic, making it difficult to ascertain his true nature. “Confucius is certainly not a deity, but he was undoubtedly a remarkable individual, capable of attracting countless students, and his teachings have endured for centuries as a core philosophical foundation in East Asia. For me personally, the scholarly zeal that allows one to reach that state of joyful achievement is something I aspire to, even if I may never fully attain it,” he reflects.
“Today’s human society has also evolved over a thousand years. While some ancient principles may not be applicable to modern contexts, human nature remains unchanged. Thus, the dilemmas faced by ancient thinkers share many similarities with the challenges we encounter today,” Cook observes, echoing Xunzi’s sentiment: “The ancient and modern both share common principles, and though they may differ, the underlying logic remains unchanged.”
Regarding ancient thought, Cook adds, “As long as we can take the best from it, adapt as necessary, and properly adjust its application, its implications for modern society can be significant. We can indeed ‘put new wine into old bottles’ and savor its richness.”
Looking ahead, Cook believes that the aspiration for a peaceful and harmonious global community can be interpreted as part of the legacy of Pre-Qin thought—an ancient cultural heritage that might become a core component of the world’s cultural fabric. He assures us that his journey into Pre-Qin thought will continue. “With the ongoing discovery of Pre-Qin bamboo texts, relating newly unearthed documents to their classical counterparts could lead to new breakthroughs and illuminate the future.”
**Interviewee Profile:**
Scott Cook, born in 1964 in Detroit, Michigan, is a PhD holder in Chinese studies from the University of Michigan and serves as a professor at the Chinese Department of the National University of Singapore and Yale-NUS College. His primary research focuses on Pre-Qin literature and the history of thought. His publications include “Guodian Chu Jian and Pre-Qin Confucian Literature: Macro and Micro Perspectives,” “Comprehensive Study and English Translation of Guodian Chu Jian,” “Shangbo and Other Chu Bamboo Texts: A Comprehensive Overview,” and “Research on the Writings of Confucius in Bamboo Books.”