Feng Youlan (1895—1990), styled himself Zhisheng, was born in Tanghe county of Henan Province. He was an outstanding philosopher and philosophical historian of the 20th Century China, who had made epoch-making contributions in China's philosophical research and studies. His academic activities had almost covered the whole century and his influence reached beyond China to the whole world.
It is very difficult to make an all-round evaluation of such a philosopher, both because of the long span of time he covered and the complicated nature of his academic achievements and his philosophical system. He was not only a learned scholar, competent in both the ancient and the modern Chinese and Western philosophy, but also a profound thinker who was constantly concerned with China's future. From him and his thought we see a sense of responsibility the traditional Chinese intellectuals feel for the nation. It is of great significance and value to study Feng Youlan's life and academic career. Such an effort will result in the examination and summary of the progress and achievements in China's philosophical field and show its 20th Century prospect.
The Critical Biography of Mr. Feng Youlan was written with the above mentioned considerations as its guidance.The book takes Mr. Feng Youlan's life-long academic activities as its chiefline, which was told in more than ten parts, such as his earlier life, life abroard, teaching career, his two-volume History of Chinese Philosophy, Six Books on Zhen Yuan, cultural views, Concise History of Philosophy, New Edition of the History of Chinese Philosophy, and "method of Abstact Inheritance".
The Critical Biography abides by the principle of unifying history with logic, and presents the orbit of the development of this philosopher's thought. In so doing, it explores his understanding of and reflection on Chinese philosophy and culture, so that the reader may obtain glimpses of his wisdom and inner world.