然而，吾人所重視的「儒家之仁」與「基督宗教之愛」的研究顯示，這兩項偉大的人類歷史文化存在著共同開顯的可行性，將是延續世界和平的重要依據。
Against the pessimist view about the “incommensurability” between Western and Chinese culture, this dissertation demonstrates the possibility of reconciliation by means of an analytical study of their main doctrines. Confucianism with the doctrine of benevolence in Mencius and Christianity with the universal love (caritas) in the Gospel of John are chosen as the most important subjects here. For this purpose, the dissertation consists of two main parts:
The first part of this study reviews the main stages of the history of the Chinese reception of Christianity from Tang dynasty (Nestorianism, 635-), through the Ming dynasty with a modest success of Matteo Ricci and his Jesuit compagnons, as well as the rejection (the so-called rites controversy, 1704-1939), and deadly conflict (the Boxer Uprising, 1851-1872), as well as Chinese scholars do not understand Western culture. The second part is an attempt to show a possibility of overcoming the incommensurability between the East and the West by means of an analysis of following main doctrines: metaphysical thinking, political thinking, thinking about human nature, morals, education. Here one finds not only differences but also similarity.
Our study of the most important concepts of benevolence and love demonstrates the feasibility of a commonality between these two greatest cultures of human history. This will be an important basis for the continuation of world peace.
