Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research, volume 99

3rd International Conference on Social Science and Higher Education (ICSSHE-17)

On Ai Siqi’s Popular Philosophy

Chen Chunying
Philosophy School of Zhongnan University of Economics and Law

Abstract—Popular Philosophy is an important representative be known and understood by the people. Therefore, the
work of the renowned Marxist philosopher Ai Siqi. As a concise popularization of Marxism became a pressing issue confronted
popular reading of Marxist basic theory, it explains three aspects, with the people. In order to save the country from national
namely materialism, epistemology and dialectics to the people crisis, patriots with lofty aspirations tried out political reforms
with extremely plain, vivid and popular language. As the and revolutions successively. However, the successive failure
foundation work for popularizing Marxist philosophy in China, it of the Hundred-Day Reform and the 1911 Revolution revealed
is a particularly important resource to deepen the development of it to us that a powerful ideological weapon was demanded to
Marxist philosophy in modern and contemporary times.
direct our revolution. While China was trapped in dilemma,
Therefore, it is of great importance and profound significance to
the success of Russia’s October Revolution brought us
study this work. In this essay, the author analyzes the writing
background, main content, major characteristics and the
valuable Marxism which as the ideological weapon of the
significance of Popular Philosophy. proletariat attracted the attention of increasingly more Chinese
intellectuals. Before the May 4th Movement, most people in
Keywords—Ai Siqi, Popular Philosophy, popularization of China did not know Marxism or even misunderstood it.
philosophy, Marxist philosophy However, as people found more of the greatness of Marxism
after the May 4th Movement, Li Dazhao, Chen Duxiu, Li Da
Like a torch in the revolution, Popular Philosophy lit up upheld the flag of Marxism one after another. At that time, Ai
the way forward in the dark and enlightened thousands of Siqi was also an important representative among those who
young people on the road of revolution. “Popular Philosophy accepted the advanced Marxism. In the Resolutions on Party
crushed the ideological defense of Three People’s Principles”, Building adopted on the First Party Congress of the Soviet
lamented Chiang Kai-shek in the Civil War period, admitting Area in 1931, the following problems were pointed out: “party
that his failure is because of the loss of people’s trust and education and ideological struggle are insufficient, with some
support. Mao Tse-tung once said that “the general principles ordinary party members still holding very shallow
of Marxism & Leninism which reflects the struggles of understanding of the Party's basic claims and important
proletarian all over the world”, after being introduced into strategies; part of party members have not recognized the class
China, “were proved to be an invincible weapon for Chinese consciousness of the Party, taking the Party as a party of
people when integrated into the actual revolutions and workers& farmers or the poor and trusting more the
struggles by the Chinese proletarians and the people.” [1] individuals in the party rather than the organization; the
Popular Philosophy is just such a powerful theoretical weapon. systematic education of the basic knowledge of Marxism &
As a representative work of Marxism popularization, Popular Leninism did not raise due attention from the Party; therefore,
Philosophy pioneered the success of Marxism popularization. education of the basic theory of Marxism & Leninism must be
Besides, it serves as important reference and inspiration for the strengthened.” [2] This proved that the ideological construction
popularization of Marxism philosophy under the new required by the revolution could be carried out only when
circumstances. Therefore, it is necessary for us to study the Marxism was accepted by more and more people and the
work in modern times. popularization of it was realized. It was just in response to
such need that Popular Philosophy came into being.
I. WRITING BACKGROUND OF POPULAR PHILOSOPHY
Second, Popular Philosophy was urgently needed for
Written during the war of Chinese people’s resistance fighting against various reactionary thoughts and doctrines. In
against Japanese aggression, Popular Philosophy has met the Marxism ideology, historical materialism is the cornerstone
practical needs of the Chinese revolution and complied with and class struggle theory is the key. Yet in the process of
the trend of the time and the law of historical development. exploring the road for the Chinese revolution with the general
Besides, it took shape in the contest against various principles of historical materialism, three debates appeared,
reactionary theories. namely, the "Problems and Doctrines" debate, the debate
First, Popular Philosophy was urgently needed by the against Pseudo-Socialism and that against Anarchism. In the
Chinese revolution. In 1931, Japan initiated the “September name of exploring China's development path, Zhang Dongsun
18th Incident”, which made China fall into serious national publicly denied socialism and praised capitalism. In Guild
crisis. Under such a circumstance. Chinese people were Socialism advocated by him, it was claimed that in China
generally confused about the fate of the country against the capitalism should be first developed as a foundation for
severe social context. At such a time, the guidance of socialism construction. Anarchism opposed all kinds of states
advanced proletarian ideology of Marxism was needed. and politics, disapproved all laws and all powers especially the
What’s more urgently required was for Marxism thoughts to proletarian dictatorship and advocated absolute freedom.
During the early stage of the propagation of Marxist

Copyright © 2017, the Authors. Published by Atlantis Press.

This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/). 352
 Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research, volume 99

philosophy in China, there was a “debate between science and contents include three aspects: materialism, epistemology and
metaphysics”. The metaphysics school represented by Zhang dialectics.
Junmai and Liang Qichao held the opinion that “science
cannot solve problems concerning the outlook on life because A. Materialism
science and the outlook on life are of two different worlds and Referring to materialism, Ai Siqi distinguished it from
the former works only in the material world.” However, the Idealism at first. It is pointed in the text that “in philosophy
science school represented by Ding Wenjiang pointed out that idealism refers to such knowledge and opinions that
“science can dominate one’s outlook on life.” In contrast, exaggerate the subjective and spiritual things, take them as the
influenced by Machism to some extent, Ding Wenjiang superlative and unique objects in the world and deny the
advocated “Skeptical Idealism”. These thoughts are subjective existence of objectiveness and matter.” [3] In this work, those
and extreme even in our view today. During the spread of who believe in fatalism, despotism, fascism and "the theory of
materialist dialectics in the 1930s, there were also opposite rapid victory" are all regarded as idealists. After the
theories. Zhang Dongsun was the first one to attack materialist discrimination, the writer wrote that the fundamental idea of
dialectics. He began with criticizing Hegel's dialectics, trying materialism is recognizing the independent existence of matter
to deny Marx through denying Hegel, and strongly rejected and its own laws and admitting that matter is primary while
the basic laws of materialist dialectics. Ye Qing propagated mind is secondary and derives from matter. In detailed
false Marxist philosophy. In the debates on the "orientation of analysis of idealism and materialism, he thought that idealism
philosophy" and other issues, he even put forward such could be divided into subjective idealism and objective
erroneous and reactionary theories as "unity of philosophy and idealism. The former took all the things in the world as within
science", "integration of materialism and idealism" and people’s mind while the latter took the world as the result of
"philosophical elimination", which essentially advocated the gods’ feelings and thoughts. Materialism was divided into
integration of science and philosophy, denied philosophical mechanical materialism and dialectical materialism.
ontology and made philosophy empirical and scientized. According to the opinion of Ai Siqi, mechanical materialism
These reactionary thoughts and doctrines all emerged in the does not recognize the changes in old and new things or the
process of the spread of Marxism philosophy in China. Many forming and elimination of matter. Therefore, it is still a type
of them came from the misinterpretation and of metaphysical materialism. In contrast, dialectical
misunderstanding of Marxism. In this case, Popular materialism is the revolutionary world view of Marxists and is
Philosophy became a pressing need for fighting against the philosophy of the proletariat. In detailed analysis of
various reactionary thoughts and doctrines. dialectical materialism, Ai Siqi mentioned that dialectical
Last, Popular Philosophy was written under the influence materialism recognizes the changes of the nature of things as
of “Popularization of Literature” and “Popularization of Social well as the generation and elimination law of things.
Sciences”. In the spring of 1930, Guo Moruo, Lu XunXia Yan
and other writers carried out the first discussion on literature B. Epistemology
popularization through publications including Popular Ai Siqi elaborated epistemology from 5 aspects:
Literature, Pioneers and Art edited by left-wing writers. They reflectionism, contradiction between perceptual knowledge
realized that it’s urgent and important to popularize literature and conceptual knowledge, relationship between perceptual
after founding that revolutionary literature works were not knowledge and conceptual knowledge, knowledge and
popular among workers and peasants yet the popular literature practice and the theory of truth. Talking about reflectionism,
with feudal elements was widely spread. Literature Ai Siqi took camera for an example, demonstrating that
Popularization Movement strengthened the connection people’s knowledge was the reflection of the external world.
between new literature creation and the public, broadening the Then, can people find the truth of external objects through
range of readers from intellectuals and youth students to part perception? This is a question to be answered. Under
of office workers, salespersons and the citizen class. Since agnosticism, the answer is no, while under materialism it is
then, the literature popularization has been developed right yes. Ai Siqi held the opinion that every perception of us could
here. It was not until the Yan'an Forum on Literature and Art reflect one aspect or part of the truth of the external world.
in 1942 that literature popularization was generally achieved Elaborating the contradictions between perceptual knowledge
in the anti-Japanese democratic base areas. Spreading of and conceptual knowledge, he wrote that the former was
literature popularization stimulated "popularization of social gained through sensory organs and could only recognize the
sciences" which began changing from slogans to practices. external characteristics of things while the latter could enable
“Popularization of Literature” and “Popularization of Social us to understand the inherent characteristics of things. As far
Sciences” laid a foundation for “Philosophy Popularization” as Ai was concerned, the relationship between the two kinds
and made it possible. of knowledge was like that between father and son. As he
wrote, “now the relationship between perceptual knowledge
II. MAIN CONTENT OF PUBLIC PHILOSOPHY and conceptual knowledge seems like that between father and
Public Philosophy consists of 22 pieces in 5 chapters as son rather than between husband and wife or between
follows: introduction, dualism and materialism, epistemology brothers.” [4] According to him, perceptual knowledge is like a
of dialectical materialism, basic laws of materialist dialectics bridge leading to conceptual knowledge. The latter can only be
and several concepts on materialist dialectics. The main reached by accumulating large amount of the former. Yet
people can still see certain relationships among things and the
laws of development of things through the former. When it

353
 Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research, volume 99

comes to the theory of truth, Ai first mentioned that the school popular philosophical principles after elaboration of each
of subjective truth does not recognize the existence of principle. For instance, referring to the two categories of
objective standards judging whether one’s perception is true or philosophy, Ai mentioned that “fatalism is the world view
false. Yet the materialists recognize that objective things used by prominent landowners and the big bourgeoisie to
should be the criteria judging whether one’s perception is true propagate fascism and is also the ideological weapons used by
or false. By this, the materialists recognize the existence of the feudal landlord class to consolidate their autocracy while
objective truth. After that, he analyzed the relativity of truth hedonism is the idea of part of landlords and bourgeoisie who
which means that one’s perception is true only under certain live a wandering life based on exploitation and pessimism is a
circumstances, and relative truth as well as absolute truth. weak thought with those declining social classes as its basis.”
[5]
Finally, he mentioned that every perception of us is relative With respect to materialism and idealism, Ai wrote that “the
but tending to reach the end of absolute truth, which is the so called philosophies of the reactionary prominent
unity of relative truth and absolute truth. landowners and bureaucratic bourgeoisie in China such as the
Vitalism of Chen Lifu and Chiang Kai-shek’s Philosophy of
C. Dialectics Practice with Earnestness, all belong to idealism, while the
Ai Siqi introduced dialectics at length. He explained world view and ideological method of the China’s labor class
dialectics from two aspects: the basic laws of and the several and the CPC who determinedly lead the Chinese people in the
concepts on dialectics. In Ai’s work, the basic laws of revolution is Marxist dialectical materialism.” [6] The above
dialectics are divided into five parts: the law of general and shows that Ai Siqi does not only explain philosophical
organic relation of things, the law of the motion and principles and his aim is to familiarize the public with the
development of things, the law of interchange of quality and development and situation of the revolution through these
quantity, the law of the unity of opposites and the law of the philosophical thoughts. It’s also the final end of this work to
negation of the negation. General and organic relation of guide the revolution with philosophy and lay an ideological
things is the first major law of dialectics. In the text about this foundation for the success of the revolution.
law, Ai wrote that things are not isolated and they all have In this work, the writer used many vivid real cases to
certain relations with things around. Here the relations refer to demonstrate the basic principles of philosophy, such as “two
interdependence and mutual constraints of things. With respect troops fighting against each other”, “a farewell between Hitler
to development of things, the writer mentioned that it’s a and Chaplin” and “How was Yue Fei killed”. In the fifth
metaphysical idea to take motions of the all the things as chapter, with respect to the concepts of appearance and
changes in quantity and position caused by external power, for essence, Ai took the “seventy-two changes of Sun Wukong” in
things have their own law of motion and development. Ai Pilgrimage to the West as an example. Yet whatever he
began his explanation of the third law by taking the collapse of changes to, his aim is to resist the ruling of the gods in the
Leifeng Pagoda for an example. He mentioned the two heaven. Meanwhile, the writer took another example: “You
changes before the collapse: quantitative change and have made a friend and he did not know you at all before you
qualitative change. Quantity and quality are the inherent two are friends. Is it not a change to become friends from strangers?
aspects of everything. Quantitative change and qualitative During a time you two appear to be very close with consistent
change are closely connected. After this, Ai introduced the last ideas. Yet at another time, you have some disputes and even
two laws of dialectics, namely the law of the unity of quarrel with each other. Is it not another change? As a result,
opposites and the law of the negation of the negation. At the you get confused and have no idea how to treat him. To take
final part of Popular Philosophy, Ai touched on the several him as friend or to be against him?” [7] Such cases and
concepts on dialectics, mainly these five couples: appearance examples appear quite frequent in the work. Through these
and essence, form and content, cause and effect, contingency cases, we can better understand and have a deeper impression
and inevitability as well as possibility and actuality. In terms of specific principles without feeling hard.
of the first couple of concepts, the writer thought that
everything has two sides: the changing external shape called As for the language form of this work, the writer explained
appearance and the certain internal relation called essence. Yet philosophical principles and problems with common and
the contradiction between these two aspects is not absolute, for popular language used by the people. In the catalogue, we can
the former is an expression of the latter and is inseparable find many idioms and sayings frequently used by common
from the latter. As for the concepts of form and content, Ai people, such as “God knows”, “turning pale at the mention of
mentioned that everything has its content and certain form. a tiger”, “cats are born to catch mice”, “turning out to be
Things develop in certain forms and the whole process of family” and “friend or wolf”. Since common people have not
development is their content. Later, Ai analyzed the other received adequate education while philosophy principles are
three couples of concepts in a similar way. thinking-demanding, they can hardly understand those
philosophy principles if taught in the way of a textbook. Yet if
the language is popularized by using such idioms and sayings,
III. MAIN CHARACTERISTICS OF POPULAR PHILOSOPHY it is easier for people to understand and the popularization of
This work has combined philosophy propagation with philosophy can be carried out successfully. Referring to the
concerns of national destiny and the people’s sufferings. concept of purposiveness, Ai wrote: “Water is arranged for
Those who have read the work may find that the writer would people to drink, cats are born to catch mice and the paws of
usually combine the philosophical principles with relevant tigers and leopards are used for catching small animals; in
problems in the revolution or explain those problems with other words, things are born with certain purpose.” [8] Turning

354
 Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research, volume 99

to the theory of truth, Ai took “friend or wolf” as the title. basic ideas of dialectical materialism and historical
“The US imperialists have left Chinese people two opposite materialism widely accepted by the people, contributing much
impressions. On the one hand, they look increasingly like to the victory of China’s revolution and the propagation in
wolves in the eyes of common Chinese people; on the other, China; therefore, his work is quite innovative and successful
the prominent landowners and the big bourgeoisie led by in exploring the popularization of Marxism in China.” [11]
Chiang Kai-shek insist on regarding the US imperialists as
good friends of the Chinese people. Which one of these two Popular Philosophy provides us with inspirations in
opposite impressions is right? In response to our reply before, popularizing Marxism in modern times. The work stands out
the answer is ‘the wolf impression’.” [9] It can be said that the among philosophical readings just because of its popular
plain language makes the work much more interesting and language style appealing and acceptable to the people. In the
popular among common people. new era, we need better strategies to cope with problems
appearing in the process of the popularization of Marxist
philosophy. At present, with fast changes in information
IV. SIGNIFICANCE OF POPULAR PHILOSOPHY technology and Internet technology, previous ways of
Popular Philosophy have promoted the popularization of Marxism propagation have been too old and abandoned by the
Marxism and enhanced the impact of Marxism among the time. Therefore, we must innovate in the methods of
public. It is different from other philosophical readings mainly propagating Marxism in the new era. In addition, during the
in that its language and content are popular. A few propagation, we must always understand the people’s need
philosophical readings have been issued before, yet without and observe the changes of them. What’s more, we must
sound reactions from the public. The reason is that these recognize and consider the people’s principal position and
readings are usually hard to understand and thus unattractive their pioneering spirit while addressing problems. We have
to the people. Yet this work made it possible for common mentioned that science and technology is undergoing dynamic
people to learn philosophical principles. The plain language changes and traditional methods of propagating philosophy
style enables the public to know what Marxist philosophy is, have long been outdated. Now we can try promoting Marxism
sort out the experience of developing Marxist philosophy and popularization through the Internet and new media and make
explore the laws in Marxist philosophy, exerting great full use of new modern media to innovate in Marxist theory.
influence on people’s thoughts. Previously we have mentioned Certainly, we need a number of scholars and researchers
that the final purpose of Marxist philosophy is not to make the devoted in Marxism study and propagation. With these talents,
people understand the principles of it but to facilitate them to we can have more in-depth study and understanding of
guide their practice with these principles and recognize Marxist philosophy and lead more people to participate in
situations of the revolution. This is what the people expect and propagating it. That is, we need some new ways to
is also a great breakthrough of this book. By taking people’s continuously promote the popularization of Marxist
practice as the basis of theoretical study and combining the philosophy in modern times after Popular Philosophy.
theory with the practice in China, Popular Philosophy has
gained widely support from the people for Marxist philosophy
and initiated the popularization of it in China. REFERENCES
As a successful exploration of Marxist philosophy’s [1] Mao Tse-tung. Selected Works of Mao Tse-tung, Volume III. Beijing:
popularization in China, Popular Philosophy has encouraged People’s Publishing House, 1991, Page 1094.
those struggling for the popularization of Marxist philosophy. [2] Party Building Resolutions. Passed on the First Party Congress of
Central Soviet Area.
Among the first Chinese works introducing Marxism, this
work has identified a road for the popularization and [3] Ai Siqi. Popular Philosophy, Collected Works of Ai Siqi. Beijing,
People’s Publishing House, 1981.
realization of Marxist philosophy. Based on the practical need
[4] Hu Yurong. Let philosophy be close to reality- Popular Philosophy by
of the people, it creatively explains Marxist philosophy in a Ai Siqi and its Practical Significance. Journal of Kunming University,
way appealing to them, which makes the philosophy easily 2008. Phase I, Volume 30, Page 5-8.
accepted by them. Mao Tse-tung once made a pertinent [5] Hu Yurong, Let philosophy be close to reality- Popular Philosophy by
comment on Ai Siqi, saying that “with his distinguished Ai Siqi and its Practical Significance. Journal of Kunming University,
contribution in the popularization of philosophy, our colleague 2008. Phase I, Volume 30, Page 5-8.
Ai Siqi has devoted his life into propagating and developing [6] Mo Wenhua. Pioneer of Philosophy Popularization – Ai Siqi; Reminisce
Marxist philosophy and transformed philosophy of the and Exploration: Commemoration of Collected Works of Ai Siqi (1981-
2008). Beijing, Central Party School Publishing House, 2010.
philosopher into weapons of the people.” [10] In this work, the
writer took real cases from life to demonstrate certain concepts [7] Zhang Dongsun. Overall Review of Materialist Dialectics; Selected
Works of Chinese Modern Philosophy. Shanghai, Fudan University
and principles of Marxist philosophy, explained problems Press, 1989.
appearing in China’s revolution and real life with the [8] Ai Siqi, Intuitionism and Rationalism; Collected Works of Ai Siqi,
philosophical principles and identified a road for Marxism Volume I. Beijing, People’s publishing House, 1981.
popularization in China by guiding our practice with the [9] Ai Siqi, Chinese Philosophy Trend in the Past 22 Years; Collected
position, opinions and methods in Marxist philosophy. “With Works of Ai Siqi, Volume I. Beijing, People’s publishing House, 1981.
his work, Ai Siqi gave a comprehensive and systematic [10] Ai Siqi, On the Reversal of Hegel 's Philosophy; Collected Works of Ai
introduction to the basic principles of Marxist philosophy Siqi, Volume I. Beijing, People’s Publishing House, 1981.
early in a creative way acceptable to the people; in this case, [11] Ai Siqi, The Real Face of Objectivism; Collected Works of Ai Siqi,
he pioneered the popularization of philosophy and made the Volume I. Beijing, People’s publishing House, 1981.

355
 Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research, volume 99

[12] Ai Siqi, Contradiction between Rationalism and Intuitionism; Collected [14] Qu Qiubai. Cosmological View of Materialism,;Collected Works of Qu
Works of Ai Siqi, Volume I. Beijing, People’s publishing House, 1981. Qiubai, Volume IV of Political Theories. Beijing, People’s Publishing
[13] Qu Qiubai. Introduction to Social Philosophy; Collected Works of Qu House, 1993.
Qiubai, Volume II of Political Theories. Beijing, People’s Publishing [15] Mao Tse-tung. Dialectical materialism (lecture outline); Selected Works
House, 1988. of Mao Zedong 's Works (First Part). Beijing, Central Party Literature
Press, 2003.

356