Social Sciences in China (Chinese Edition)

No. 3, 2025

The Practical Philosophical Implications of “Concrete Universality”

(Abstract)

He Lai

The question of how “universality” and “particularity” can achieve “intrinsic integration” and dialectical unity, thereby establishing “concrete universality,” is far from self-evident. One of the key philosophical challenges lies in substantiating “universality inherent within particularity,” a challenge that demands thorough theoretical exploration. Traditional philosophy, bound by the principles of theoretical explanation, has consistently failed to genuinely address this problem convincingly. Marx, however, achieved a fundamental shift by adopting the interpretive principles of practical philosophy. He redefined “universality” as the “interconnectedness of the life world,” organically unified with “particularity.” This innovative approach overcomes the rigid dichotomy between “universality” and “particularity,” offering an enlightening theoretical paradigm for substantiating “universality inherent in particularity.” This new theoretical paradigm distinctly highlights the transformative significance of Marx’s philosophy in modern philosophy. It also holds profound theoretical and practical implications for overcoming the long-standing, and especially in modern society, deeply influential abstract opposition between “universalism” and “particularism” that has long shaped modern thought, value systems, and even behavioral patterns.