From “Divine Playfulness” to “Science-Metaphysics Debate”: An Analysis of the Social Context Behind the Decline of Supernatural Narratives in Modern and Contemporary Chinese Literature

Journal of Integrated Cultural Studies

JICS   Vol. 1, No. 1, 2026, pp.43-56.

Print ISSN: 3105-840X; Online ISSN: 3105-8418

Journal homepage: https://www.icsjournal.com

DOI：Https://doi.org/10.64058/JICS.26.1.05

从“以神为戏”到“科玄论战”

——中国近现代文学超自然叙事式微的社会背景分析

韩  冷（Han Leng）

摘要：晚明“常中出奇”观念，及洋务运动和戊戌变法，将超自然叙事与科学技术对立起来；启蒙思潮下，现代文学中写实主义成为主流，超自然叙事受到新知识分子的批判；“科玄论战”将科学与玄学对立起来。它们共同导致中国近现代文学中的超自然叙事逐渐式微。超自然叙事本是文学创作中一种浪漫主义的艺术表达方式，现实主义和浪漫主义创作方法应同时得到重视和发展。

关键词：超自然叙事；以神为戏；常中出奇；新文化运动；科玄论战

作者简介：韩冷，广东省社会科学院暨广东省习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想研究中心研究员，研究方向：比较文学。电邮：hanleng1977@126.com。

Title: From “Divine Playfulness” to “Science-Metaphysics Debate”: An Analysis of the Social Context Behind the Decline of Supernatural Narratives in Modern and Contemporary Chinese Literature

Abstract: During the late Ming period, the concept of “seeking the extraordinary within the ordinary” became prominent. In the Self-Strengthening Movement and the Hundred Days’ Reform, supernatural narratives began to be opposed to science and technology. Influenced by Enlightenment thought, realism gradually became the mainstream in modern Chinese literature, while supernatural storytelling faced strong criticism from the new intellectuals. The Science vs. Metaphysics Debate (Ke Xuan Lun Zhan) further polarized science and metaphysics. These socio-cultural developments led to the gradual decline of supernatural narratives in modern Chinese literature. In fact, supernatural storytelling is merely a form of romantic artistic expression within literary creation. Realist and romantic modes of writing should both be valued and developed.

Keywords: Supernatural narrative, Divine Playfulness, seeking the extraordinary within the ordinary, New Culture Movement, Science vs. Metaphysics Debate.

Author Biography: Han Leng, Research Fellow, Guangdong Academy of Social Sciences & Research Center for Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, Guangdong Province. Research interests: Comparative Literature. E-mail: hanleng1977@126.com.

 Received: 6 Dec. 2025 / Revised: 6 April. 2026 / Accepted: 10 Apr. 2026 / Published online: 30 Apr. 2026 / Print published: 30 May 2026.