Fei Xiaotong (1910-2005)，a renowned sociologist, ethnologist and anthropologist

A Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) forum titled “International Conference on the Innovative Development of Ethnological and Anthropological Theory and Methodology & Symposium on Commemorating the 80th Anniversary of Fei Xiaotong’s Mt. Dayao Investigation,” was held in Beijing from Oct.18 to 19. Experts and scholars from such countries as China, the US, Japan, South Korea and Australia delivered their views and opinions at the event. Li Peilin, vice president of CASS, addressed the opening ceremony. 

Fei Xiaotong (1910-2005) was not only a renowned sociologist, ethnologist and anthropologist but also an important social activist. He made great contributions to China’s development and progress. Fei’s academic qualities deserve study in particular, Li said.

After the investigation of Mt. Dayao, in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Fei maintained the academic orientation of having an “ambition to enrich the people,” which was different from the orientations of utilitarianism or “learning for the sake of learning” in the current society, Li said. He suggested investigation methods of sociology and anthropology should be perfected, adding that with the rapid development of social sciences, advantages of investigative methods of anthropology need to be probed and developed. He also called for Chinese academics to go global, arguing it is necessary to sum up China’s academic achievements, reflect on breakthroughs and innovation of academic research, and popularize new achievements regarding international anthropology, sociology and ethnology.

Attending scholars said Fei committed himself to researching ethnic groups from the perspectives of various disciplines and investigated the ethnic phenomena of Chinese society using theories and methods from these disciplines, pushing forward the localization construction of China’s ethnic theory. Fei presented his theoretical views from the perspectives of history, society and culture, providing valid theories and methods for dealing with ethnic problems.
 

Scholars held heated discussions and reached a consensus on Fei’s Mt. Dayao investigation. They said that it was a classic example of anthropological field work in the China of the time, reflecting not only basic methods and principles of field work but also the basic value orientations behind field work. After decades, great changes have taken place at home and abroad, and anthropological field work has been adapted to the new human social environment. It is an important academic mission for field researchers of ethnology and anthropology to carry on fine traditions, innovate and preserve the vitality of field work under the new historical conditions, they said.

Wang Chunyan is a reporter at the Chinese Social Sciences Today.