The Divergence between Knowledge and Faith: Debates about the Religionization and Epistemologization of Confucianism in Modern Social Change

Confucianism was a synthesis of belief and knowledge in traditional China.The need to set up new guiding principles for the construction of nation state in China under the Western impact had led to innovations of Confucianism.As a radical innovationist at the end of 19century,Kang Youwei's considerations were innovative models of Confucianism revival.The two aspects of his plan:Churchlike Organization and Knowledge Independent of Belief,made up a new picture with harmony and distortion.Confucianism could not become a religious relief because of its rational thinking.And it could not become modern professional knowledge because of its connection with belief.Without any effective effort for Confucianism revival,Kang's innovation made Confucianism lose its own existing way.