Chapter 60 Section 6 The Philosopher's Withering

In September 1949, with the retreat of the national army and the victories of the People's Liberation Army, Feng Youlan, the former head of the Department of Philosophy at Tsinghua University who was not liked by the top leaders of the Communist Party of China, resigned with interest.According to the opinions of Wu Han and others, Jin Yuelin, who has a good relationship with the CCP, will succeed him as the dean of Tsinghua's Department of Philosophy.A few months later, Lao Jin prospered as an official and was appointed as the dean of Tsinghua Literature and a member of the school committee, and had the honor to participate in the finalization of the English translation of the volume "Selected Works of Mao".

In 1952, when the departments were adjusted, the philosophy departments of six universities across the country (i.e., Peking University, Tsinghua University, Yenching University, Nanjing University, Wuhan University, and Sun Yat-sen University) were merged into the Department of Philosophy of Peking University, and Lao Jin was transferred to be the dean of the Department of Philosophy of Peking University. On March 5, 1953, Stalin passed away, and Mao Zedong went to the Soviet Embassy in China to mourn. On March 9, Mao published the article "The Greatest Friendship" in memory of Stalin.Lao Jin felt that the most important leader of the proletariat had passed away, and he "began to have the requirement to defend the party" ideologically.That year, under the specific operation of Zhu Bokun and Ren Jiyu according to the instructions above, Lao Jin joined the China Democratic League, and later served as a member of the Central Committee of the Democratic League and other important positions.

According to Lao Jin: "At the beginning of liberation, Zhang Xiruo was very busy, and Liang Lin was very busy participating in the design of the national emblem. I seem to be an outsider. Once I met Chairman Mao in Huairentang, and he said to me: 'What you did is still useful', I was relieved, and I followed everyone." As soon as Lao Jin put his heart down, he did not follow the "groups", but the latecomers, charged forward, walked like flying, and soon surpassed the "groups" such as Liang Sicheng and Lin Huiyin, and reached the height and depth admired by his peers.

According to the memories of Yang Disheng, a student of the Philosophy Department of Peking University at that time, Lao Jin was almost sixty years old at that time, his eyesight was declining, and his energy was not as good as before.However, "During this period, Mr. Jin was responsible for heavy administrative, teaching and scientific research work. He also had to study Marxism-Leninism tirelessly. He also had to use his personal experience to educate his classmates, and he had heart-to-heart talks with his colleagues to help each other and make progress together. Mr. Jin refused to accept it. He is old, and always maintains a high revolutionary passion. Because Jin Lao has made up his mind to dedicate his life to the party's education. We will never forget Jin Lao's speech. He clenched his fists, pounded the table, and said forcefully Said: "I am determined to be a real people's teacher under the leadership of the party and Chairman Mao!" The language is strong and passionate, it moved the teachers and students present, and everyone greeted them with tears in their eyes. Tears welled up in my eyes."

In the spring of 1955, Lao Jin was transferred to the preparatory meeting of the Institute of Philosophy of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. In September, he was appointed as the deputy director of the Institute of Philosophy of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the leader of the logic research group.When recalling his life from Tsinghua University to the Institute of Philosophy in his later years, Lao Jin once said: "After liberation, he was adjusted to Peking University. Mr. Zhou Peiyuan said that he wanted me to be the dean of the Philosophy Department of Peking University. I said I would not do it, and said Ai Siqi was there. Instead of looking for him, he came to me instead. Zhou Peiyuan said: "If you want to do it, you have to do it." I became the dean of the department. Soon someone scolded me face to face. He was either expelled from society, or I resigned. What should I do in the new society? I don’t know. As a result, if he didn’t leave, I wouldn’t resign either. , the other deputy director, Zhang Yong, said that I should sit in the office. I don’t know how the “office” works, but I can always sit in the office. I sat in the office respectfully and sat all morning, while the “official” No, no one came to me at all. I just wasted a morning. Not long after this, the comrades of the Institute of Philosophy made a decision. I was relieved of my administrative duties and named a first-level researcher. Obviously, they also found that I could not do things .If I am an intellectual, I really can't do things as an intellectual."

According to the investigation, the dismissal mentioned by Lao Jin was due to his confusion or misunderstanding. The philosophy at that time did not have, nor did he have the right to dismiss Lao Jin from his administrative duties. It was just a decision that Lao Jin did not have to go to the office where he sat every day for "business". According to available data, the specific date Lao Jin applied to join the Communist Party of China was September 29, 1956. He wrote in his voluntary letter: "After the founding of the People's Republic of China, the people really stood up....In such a In a large country with a large population, I think that quite a few of us must unconditionally obey the party’s leadership and accept the party’s tasks. I want to devote myself to this great trend of revolutionary construction, so I apply to join the party.” At the same time , Lao Jin also wrote that several Marxist-Leninist books had a great influence on him, such as "On Practice", "Materialism and Empirical Criticism", Stalin's "Dialectical Materialism and Historical Materialism", "Marxism and Linguistic Issues, etc.

In view of the fact that Lao Jin's ideological realm has reached a high level, on December 11, the Party Committee of the Chinese Academy of Sciences approved him as a probationary member of the Communist Party of China.Since then, Lao Jin "transformed from democracy and patriotism to communism, and finally became a communist vanguard". Lao Jin, who turned from a free intellectual into a "warrior" overnight, knew that the outdated spirit of "independence and freedom of thought" that Chen Yinke, who was still teaching at Sun Yat-sen University at the time, still remained in his mind. Therefore, I made up my mind to change my mind and start a new life. I voluntarily gave up the logic and philosophy that I was determined to study when I was young and middle-aged. Unreservedly and completely break with the set of philosophical systems that I have engaged in.At the same time, he publicly stated: "To learn Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought well, one year is not enough, it takes two years; two years is not enough, five years is not enough; five years is not enough, ten years is not enough; ten years is not enough, it is twenty years!"

Vow to be a proletarian vanguard fighter who will fight wherever the party points, and dare to break through mountains of swords and seas of fire. On New Year's Eve in 1956, Mao Zedong invited Jin Yuelin, Zhang Shizhao and several Confucian scholars and fellow villagers to dinner.During the dinner, Mao said to Lao Jin: "Mathematical logic is still useful, and we still need to develop it. I hope you can write a popular pamphlet, and I still want to read it."According to Lao Jin's later recollection in an article, from this time to the ten years before the outbreak of the "Cultural Revolution", Chairman Mao invited him to dinner four times, and he also knew that he was from Hunan, and specially used chopsticks to hold him. Taste the fried black and red, smaller hot peppers.For these 4 meals, Lao Jin will never forget them all his life. Even though he has forgotten all the past things in his old age, he still keeps them in his heart.Every time he talks about it to others, he always looks extremely proud and proud—perhaps, this is one of the most honorable things in Lao Jin's life.

Lao Jin, who had dinner with Chairman Mao, was determined to reform his thinking and worldview, but he couldn't get rid of the morale of free intellectuals and the inherent ideas and life concepts in his head.The new Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought have been studied for a long time, but they have not learned well.During the ideological remolding movement carried out by the central government, Lao Jin had a sincere review and said: "Before Japan occupied Beijing, I once met Qian Daosun, who was the librarian of Tsinghua University. I said that I must resist Japan. He It is said that there is absolutely no way to resist, and resistance is not only the subjugation of the country, but also the extermination of the species. I wanted to beat him very much, but I was influenced by the lesson of 'not fighting', so I didn't fight." The theory was tenable, but in the end, the audience refuted and criticized, to the effect: "Chiang Kai-shek allowed American ships to sail freely on the Yangtze River, and you didn't say a word of counter-dialogue" and so on.Lao Jin's "bathing" was considered a whitewash, but he was still ashamed and could not be squeezed into the ranks of the pure proletariat.Decades later, when recalling the past, Jin Yuelin said: "I have to admit that I have indeed lost my national position on this point. The eyes of the masses are discerning."

In his later years, Lao Jin once told people that he had written three books before 1949, and "the one I am more satisfied with is "Lun Dao".This book is the most important one in his life.But when the political turmoil came, Lao Jin no longer dared to say "satisfied", but regarded it as a pile of shit. In February 1958, Lao Jin wrote an article of more than 20,000 words. According to the viewpoint of Marxism-Leninism, he severely criticized his famous work "On Tao". have to publish.When Lao Jin saw that the article could not be published, he simply didn't do anything and kept going. He broke the boat and wrote a letter of self-criticism to his superior party committee to show his heartbreak and determination to change his mind.Lao Jin said: The bourgeois thinking in his head hindered the study and research of dialectical logic by the logic group, "I agree with the study of dialectical logic in words, but it is another matter in my heart." About dialectics or the relationship between dialectical logic and formal logic The problem, as some old logicians say, remains "at a loss."They "seem to understand a little bit" about dialectics, but "mostly don't understand" dialectical logic. If this is the case, the relationship between the two is "difficult to discuss," and so on.

In May 1959, Jin Yuelin published "Self-criticism on the Old Book (Logic)" in the fifth issue of "Philosophical Research" of this year, and once again severely criticized his past philosophical views.At the end of the year, the Institute of Philosophy carried out the "Anti-Rightist Movement" according to the deployment of its superiors. Lao Jin immediately wrote a long article "Self-examination". In addition to criticizing his original philosophical views, he also became a little nervous about joining the CCP in reality He asked questions and confessed that his motives for joining the party were not pure, "it is very likely that he will deceive others by means of self-deception." This self-criticism thrown out by Lao Jin made the party organizations at all levels quite frightened and confused, thinking that he was behind him. If there is any background, or some ulterior purpose lurking in the depths of the mind, we have to pay more attention to his words and deeds and intensify his investigation.Fortunately, Lao Jin was just like a monk chanting scriptures. He criticized himself every now and then according to the meaning of the scriptures. On the eve of the anniversary, the party organization of the Chinese Academy of Sciences discussed and decided to remove the word "preparation" from Lao Jin's probationary party members and officially approve him as a member of the Communist Party of China. The fact that Lao Jin became an official member of the Communist Party of China reached Mao Zedong's ears.At the end of the year, Mao Zedong invited Lao Jin to his home for dinner. The guests present included Zhang Shizhao and Cheng Qian, both from Hunan.Lao Jin was the last to go, and as soon as he entered the door, Mao introduced to Zhang and Cheng, "This is Jin Yuelin, a member of the Communist Party of China." In one sentence, Lao Jin was so excited that he was moved to tears.During the meeting, Mao said to Jin: "I have read your review (South Press: "Self-criticism of the Old Book (Logic)" published by Lao Jin a year and a half ago). The old ones are a bit annoying. But..." Mao didn't go on, and neither did the others.Later, Lao Jin recalled: "I didn't understand what Chairman Mao said 'but'. Deep understanding, or inability to understand, leads to more and more "backward" ideas and concepts.In this regard, in his later years, Lao Jin lived in seclusion and was no longer enthusiastic about political trends with "clenched fists" and "tears filled his eyes".This matter was heard by Chairman Mao. During the last meal together, Mao threw a word to Lao Jin with some dissatisfaction: "You need to get in touch with the society!" Lao Jin, who was over seventy years old at this time, listened In saying this, he vowed on the spot that he would follow the chairman's instructions and try his best to "connect with the society." Returning home dizzy, Lao Jin "stopped his cup and threw his chopsticks and couldn't eat, drew his sword and looked around in a daze" for three consecutive days.In the silent night, "As soon as the lights go out, it seems like thousands of horses are galloping on the paper ceiling, and the little mice will start their sports meeting" (Jin Yuelin's words).While listening to the little mice screaming for the sports meeting, Lao Jin was thinking about how to get in touch with society, tossing and turning unable to fall asleep.According to the strengths I have learned all my life—big logic, small logic and other reasoning and argumentation of different logics, after three days of hard work, I finally planned a corresponding strategy for "contacting society". On this morning, Lao Jin walked out of the house excitedly, and found an old tricycle driver who was about 60 years old at the entrance of the alley and had a bad leg. Take a turn.So, the poor coachman boarded the car on time and came to Lao Jin's house. Lao Jin washed up, walked out with a cane, and climbed tremblingly on the flat tricycle.With a fixed job and salary, the crappy coachman was very happy. He took out the tricks he had practiced for decades, pedaled hard on the busy road, dodged left and right, and flew forward like flying.Lao Jin in the car pressed his cane with one hand, and firmly grasped the seat under the driver's buttocks with the other, so as not to be thrown off halfway, and be crushed to pieces by the wheels like burning sweet potatoes.After a bumpy but safe journey to the crowded Wangfujing Street, the tricycle was caught in the crowd, wandering through the rice fields like a handy toad, dodging and jumping, while Lao Jin was sitting in the car , looking around, carefully observing and "contacting the society".After two years of rain or shine, he was finally discovered by a troublemaker and reached the ears of Chairman Mao. When Mao heard about it, he laughed and said: "I just said it casually, but he actually took it to heart. I, a fellow logician, do have a logic that is different from ordinary people.” After Lao Jin found out about this comment, he thought that although Chairman Mao did not take his behavior very seriously, he generally recognized it. "The martyr's old age, the ambition is not self-sufficient", the heroic demeanor.It's a pity that God's wishes failed. One day, Lao Jin was kicked by a stubborn rock, and he could no longer climb on the flat-bed tricycle. In the spring of 1974, the 80-year-old Lao Jin's physical condition was not as good as before.Liang Congjie, the son of Liang Sicheng and Lin Huiyin, was grateful for the sincere friendship between Lao Jin and several generations of the Liang family, and moved with his family to Lao Jin's place in Dongcheng Ganmian Hutong to eat and live together.Since then, Lao Jin has returned to the era of the "wife's living room", but the owner of the living room is not his close friends Liang and Lin, but young juniors.In this warm family full of friendship and love, Liang Congjie's family has always regarded Lao Jin as his biological father, and called him "Jin Dad", and Lao Jin also regarded Liang Congjie as his own son, and discussed with Liang Congjie no matter the big or small things in life. , especially for things in "society" that he couldn't figure out and didn't understand, he always took what Liang Congjie said. In November 1980, Lao Jin was hospitalized due to pneumonia. After he was discharged from the hospital, he could no longer walk and had to stay in bed for a long time.Once, the leaders of the Institute of Philosophy visited Lao Jin, and after exchanging pleasantries, they mentioned the matter of the old man's books in a roundabout and cautious manner, implying that they hoped that they would be donated to the Institute of Philosophy.Lao Jin, who is not confused, understood it as soon as he heard it, but he made it clear that his collection of books was the result of decades of accumulation. , the books in the collection should be left to Liang Congjie to express his nostalgia for Liang and Lin. In 1982, Lao Jin felt that the god of death was waiting at the door of his house, and returned his soul to Daoshan. On March 7, he wrote a special letter to the party organization of the Institute of Philosophy, Academy of Social Sciences, saying: "I may end soon. I want to take this opportunity Thanks to the Party, to Comrade Mao Zedong, and to the working people of the whole country for saving China. The problem of carve-up has been completely solved. The four modernization problems will also be solved.” He also said: “After I die, please withdraw 3,000 yuan from my deposit. Dedicated to the party. Please do not hold a memorial service, please let the ashes be blown away by the breeze.” At 3:35 pm on October 19, 1984, Lao Jin died in Beijing due to bilateral pneumonia, emphysema, coronary heart disease and other diseases. Passed away in 305 Hospital at the age of 89. On October 20, the Central People's Broadcasting Station broadcast a message saying: "Famous philosopher, logician, member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, former member of the Department of Philosophy and Social Sciences of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and deputy director of the Institute of Philosophy of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences , Jin Yuelin, an outstanding member of the Communist Party of my country... devoted his whole life to the research and teaching of philosophy and logic in our country, and made great contributions to the construction and development of logic in our country, as well as to the research of philosophy and education in our country. has a great reputation in the world.” The decline of Mount Tai, the destruction of beams and trees, and the withering of philosophers, the last giant star in the brilliant academic galaxy of the 20th century has fallen, and an academic mountain in the noisy world has silently disappeared into the depths of history in the sea of ​​mist and mist. An era is over. .