Confucian Response to the Challenge Posed by Catholicism: Wang Fuzhi’s Views of Catholicism
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
In this paper, a thorough analysis is conducted on Wang Fuzhi’s views of Catholicism. What sets this paper apart from previous research is its innovation in identifying disparities in Wang Fuzhi idea between his early and later years. It discovers that in his later years, Wang Fuzhi had to acknowledge the correctness of certain Catholic idea, leading to a reevaluation of some core Confucian concepts to respond. The author’s work brings attention to the significant influence of Catholic thought on Wang Fuzhi's ideas, as well as the strategies he employed to respond to the challenges posed by Catholicism. It demonstrates that Confucian scholar doesn’t merely involve rejecting foreign religions outright but also entails an ongoing process of adapting and absorbing foreign ideas. This is where the value of this paper lies.
However, there are two areas where this paper could be improved. Firstly, it should elaborate on the differences between Wang Fuzhi’s thoughts on ‘Heaven’ influenced by Catholicism and those of previous Confucian scholars. Secondly, the paper is quite lengthy and could benefit from further condensation by reducing some irrelevant discussions.
Author Response
The exploration of Wang's evolving concept of "heaven" following the influence of Matteo Ricci is a substantial undertaking. I plan to delve into this topic further and write another essay to exclusively elaborate on the intricacies involved.
As yo the length of this article, I have tried to shorten it
Reviewer 2 Report
This is a really great paper. It makes a clear argument, is well evidenced, and references a good deal of relevant scholarship.
There are a few things that the author(s) can improve, after which this paper should be accepted for publication.
- Some of the quotes are not properly referenced (for example, the first one)
- The formatting for the quotes is incorrect. They look like the rest of the text. This needs to be changed.
- A few of the longer quotes are not necessary. The author(s) can consider shortening them, or taking out some of the other details that are not directly related to the argument.
- The abstract could be a little more concise. I suggest the second sentence better explain the first.
After these corrections are made I recommend the article be published. Again, it is a very strong piece.
The English is basically fine. I would just encourage the author(s) to have another native English speaker take one more read through it. Otherwise it is fine.
Author Response
Thank you for your review. I truly appreciate this valuable advice. The abstract has been revised so as to make it more concise.
In terms of quotations, I have converted all footnotes into endnotes, and in consideration of relevance, some notes, particularly the lengthy ones, have been revised. However, I have maintained some quotations as such. I believe it is essential to preserve them unchanged, as they contribute significantly to our understanding of Wang's perspective, offering both consistency in thought and literal relevance.
Reviewer 3 Report
After a thorough review of the manuscript, I appreciate the depth and breadth of the philosophical exploration presented. The author's engagement with intricate concepts and their detailed analysis is commendable. However, I have some critical and constructive criticisms to offer for a minor revision.
1. **Clarity and Conciseness (Page 12)**:
- The discussion about the differentiation between “extremity” and “mean” and the use of metaphor of archery could be made more concise and clear. The author should consider revising the paragraph to make the argument more straightforward and accessible to a broader audience.
- Example: The sentence “Now in terms of the body of Dao, Master Cheng admittedly states: “the “mean” is inward”.” could be simplified for better understanding.
2. **Contextual Explanation (Page 18)**:
- The section discussing Wang Fuzhi’s perspective on human eyesight and the concepts of “presentness” (you 有) and “unpresentness” (wu 无) needs more contextual explanation. The author should provide more background information or a brief summary of these concepts for readers who may not be familiar with them.
- Example: Before the quote “聚而明得施，人遂谓之有。散而明不可施，遂谓之无。”, a concise explanation of the philosophical context would be beneficial.
3. **Citation and Reference (Page 16)**:
- The author should ensure that all external references are correctly cited and accessible. The reference to a story with a URL (https://ctext.org/hanfeizi/wai-chu-shuo-zuo-shang/zh) should be properly formatted and checked to ensure it is working and leads to the correct source.
- Example: The sentence “This story can be checked in https://ctext.org/hanfeizi/wai-chu-shuo-zuo-shang/zh.” should be properly cited in the reference list.
4. **Language and Translation (Various Pages)**:
- Ensure that translations of non-English terms are consistently provided and accurate to aid non-native speakers in understanding the text better.
- Example: On page 18, terms like “you 有” and “wu 无” are used. Ensure that translations are accurate and consistent throughout the manuscript.
In conclusion, the manuscript is well-written and explores deep philosophical concepts. The suggested revisions are minor but essential for enhancing the clarity and accessibility of the text. The author is encouraged to consider these suggestions to improve the manuscript further.
Language and Translation (Various Pages):
- Ensure that translations of non-English terms are consistently provided and accurate to aid non-native speakers in understanding the text better.
- Example: On page 18, terms like “you 有” and “wu 无” are used. Ensure that translations are accurate and consistent throughout the manuscript.
Author Response
Thank you for your review. I truly appreciate the valuable advice.
I have reworked the section on the metaphor of archery to enhance the clarity of Wang's message. Similar revisions have been made in the Abstract, with the aim of conciseness.
All of the references have been checked for they can be traced successfully back to the original text.
The translations of some important notions have been unified, especially you有 and wu无. The translation of the two terms is borrowed from Prof. Hans Georg Moeller. and the contextual exploration has also been supplemented.
