The Key and Shackles of Cultural Genes

Keywords of Traditional Chinese Culture systematically compiles the core concepts of Chinese civilization in a dictionary format, constructing a compact repository of cultural DNA—from the "Heavenly Way" to the "Artisan's Spirit." The book strikes a balance between scholarly rigor and accessibility, with each entry offering both classical interpretations and modern perspectives, creating a unique dialogue between past and present. The thoughtfully designed "conceptual network" partially mitigates the inherent fragmentation of the dictionary structure. Yet, the work also reflects the dilemmas of modernizing traditional culture. Despite striving for accuracy, English translations struggle to convey the cultural essence of terms like ren (benevolence) and dao (the Way), revealing the inevitable loss of meaning in cross-linguistic transmission. A deeper question arises: when living cultural traditions are reduced to lexical definitions, are we simplifying an organic system of thought into retrievable fragments of knowledge? The value of this book lies not only in its utility as a reference but also in the cultural self-awareness it provokes—true inheritance is not about memorizing keywords but about revitalizing their contemporary relevance. In an era dominated by bite-sized reading, this work serves not just as a guide but as a mirror, reflecting the complex and ambivalent relationship we maintain with tradition.