There is a growing call for intellectual pluriversality in response to global knowledge asymmetries that have been dominated by Western knowledge and have marginalised traditional non-Western knowledge. Thus, non-Western humanities and social sciences (HSS) research has witnessed a revitalisation of traditional knowledge, which has led to discussions concerning the integration of modern Western and traditional non-Western knowledge. Through conducting interviews, this study provides an overview of contemporary Chinese HSS scholars’ attempts to integrate Western and traditional Chinese knowledge into their research. We identified three steps: revisiting traditional Chinese knowledge; seeking out possible interactions with the prevailing Western knowledge; and exploring potential philosophical foundations for a synthesis of the two bodies of knowledge. The study concludes by providing new insights that can enrich the field of HSS research in China and beyond.
Working Paper 105
Incorporating Traditional Chinese Knowledge in Research: The Case of Chinese Humanities and Social Sciences
Published December 2023