PhD defence

The Influence of Classical Chinese Thought on Hu Shih's Reform Agenda for Modern Language and Literature

• J. Hu

Date

Tuesday 10 November 2026

Time

14:30 - 15:30 hour

Address

Academy Building
Rapenburg 73
2311 GJ Leiden

Supervisor(s)

• Prof.dr. M.S. Berger

Summary

My research reexamines Hu Shih, one of the most influential Chinese thinkers of the early twentieth century, and argues that his vision for reforming modern China was less “Western” than is often assumed. Through close readings of his philosophical writings, literary histories, and essays, I demonstrated how his reform program - especially his efforts to establish a national vernacular Chinese language and literature - was shaped not only by Western ideas but also by China’s own diverse intellectual and cultural traditions. Hu drew inspiration from Buddhist storytelling and recorded conversations, medieval literary and philosophical works, and the teachings of Mozi, an ancient thinker neglected for 2,000 years. He also believed that elements of traditional Chinese political institutions, including the civil service examination and officials responsible for criticizing the ruler, could be adapted to support democracy in modern China.

These findings are relevant to continuing debates about China’s modernization and the relationship between tradition and democracy. Rather than viewing China’s choices as simply a matter of Westernization or a return to Confucianism, my research reveals how Hu sought to build a modern future from China’s own plural and sometimes overlooked traditions. What makes this research distinctive is its reassessment of a thinker often portrayed as China’s most radical Westernizer: it shows how some of his most transformative reforms were rooted in Chinese intellectual and institutional history, and how popular expression, vernacular culture, and internal criticism have long contributed to social change in China.

PhD dissertations

Approximately one week after the defence, PhD dissertations by Leiden PhD students are available digitally through the Leiden Repository, that offers free access to these PhD dissertations. Please note that in some cases a dissertation may be under embargo temporarily and access to its full-text version will only be granted later.

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