“Thoughts and Ages: 70 Years' Development of Philosophy in the People's Republic of China” was a success
The symposia Thoughts and Ages: 70 Years' Development of Philosophy in the People's Republic of China was successfully held by School of Philosophy, Beijing Normal University (BNU) during 19-20 October, 2019, in order to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, and the 40th anniversary of the founding of the department of philosophy of Beijing Normal University.
Over 100 participants attended the symposia, including Professor YUAN Gui Ren, former Minister of Education and current chairman of Committee on Science, Education, Culture and Sports of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, scholars of all philosophical fields, present staff and students, and alumni.
Professor DONG Qi, headmaster of Beijing Normal University, expressed sincere welcome and gratitude to all guests, scholars and other participants for their continuous support; at the same time he extended warm congratulations to the 40th founding anniversary of the department of philosophy of BNU. From the very beginning of its founding, he pointed out, there were great scholars including LIANG Qi Chao, LI Da Zhao, spreading the wisdom and setting eternal examples themselves for the future generations. Outstanding alumni like LI Da, ZHANG Dai Nian, “Role Model” HUANG Wen Xiu, etc., were cultivated. The School has gradually formed its own characteristics and traditions through abundant acquisitions of academic achievements in epistemology, philosophy of value, philosophy of humans, philosophy of existence, Confucianism, Daoism, philosophy of western history, logics, and philosophy of science and technology, etc.. Much efforts have been put in bringing research achievements to a broader stage — taking active part in social service, hosting Confucius Institute overseas, dedicating in spreading excellent Chinese culture and philosophical thoughts, sponsoring three journals that enjoy high reputation and are fairly influential at home and abroad. The symposia aimed at the philosophical exploration of new China over the past 70 years, the profound discussion on theoretical research in philosophy, and the attempts to provide constructive solutions to current issues sprung up along with the development of our society, all of which are marks of its significance. The School shall, Professor DONG Qi said, strengthen disciplinary enhancement and cultivate qualified philosophers with continuous endeavors so as to contribute to the prosperity of philosophy in China.
Professor WU Xiang Dong, dean of School of Philosophy, made a solid speech on behalf of the school then. He addressed that philosophy of China gained fresh blood due to the age, while philosophical thoughts in turn guide the age, which as a whole is a perfect manifestation of thought-age dialectics. During the past 70 years, philosophy of new China has constantly transforming from old fashion to contemporary one, from concept to life, from explanation to innovation, from home to the globe. To hold the symposia was to celebrate in a unique philosophical way the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, and the 40th anniversary of the founding of the department of philosophy of Beijing Normal University, with concluding the track, lessons, and rule of philosophy since the founding of new China and reflecting on the trend and prospect of philosophy in the present age its purpose. Professor WU Xiang Dong introduced the School so far has national/municipal key disciplines including philosophy of Marxism, western philosophy, etc., key arts and literature research base Center for Studies of Values and Culture, national key teaching material construction and research base Integration of Primary-Secondary-Collegial School Moral Education, three academic journals namely Research on Contemporary Chinese Values, Frontiers of Philosophy in China, Teaching on Thoughts and Politics. The School and the department of philosophy would burden its responsibility — to value the fate of mankind, to study issues of China, to conclude Chinese experience, to propose Chinese theory, to make great efforts to construct an academic system of philosophy with Chinese characteristics, Chinese styles, and Chinese spirit — in order to contribute to the great rejuvenation of Chinese culture.
Shortly after the opening ceremony, Professor LI Jing Yuan (Chinese Academy of Social Sciences), SUN Zheng Yu (Jilin University), WANG Nan Shi (Nankai University), YANG Guo Rong (East China Normal University), HAO Li Xin (Renming University of China), JU Shi Er (Sun Yat-sen University), CHEN Fan (Northeastern University), WANG Bo (Peking University), ZHANG Shu Guang (Beijing Normal University), FENG Zi Yi (PKU), WU Xiao Ming (Fudan University), XIE Di Kun (RUC), FAN He Ping (Southeastern University), LI Jing Lin (BNU), YANG Hai Feng (PKU), DENG An Qing (FDU), DAI Mao Tang (Hubei University), TIAN Hai Ping (BNU), LIU Cheng Ji (BNU) respectively made impressive speech on “Historical Materialism and China’s Reform and Opening-up”, “Theoretical Intellection of Studies on Philosophy of Marxism”, “Nationality and Globality of Conception of Contemporary Values”, “Current Development of Logics in China”, “Disciplinary Construction and Innovative Development of Philosophy of Science and Technology in New China”, “The Issue of Order and the Origin of Chinese Philosophy”, “From Two Poles Against Each Other to Differences Coexist with harmony”, “Philosophy of Development towards the New Era”, “Philosophical Missions of Present Era”, “The Spirit of Liberty and Innovation”, “How does Chinese Ethics step into the 40th year?”, “Transforming Method to Content: Reflections on methodology of Chinese Philosophy”, “Several Points on Current Development of Philosophy of Marxism”, “A Trend of Ethical Research into Practical Philosophy”, “Challenges of Current Ethics in China”, “Does Consequence-concerning Possess Moral Importance?”, “Humanized Nature and Theoretical Developments of Natural beauty over the 70 years in New China”. The whole speeches were held by CAO Jian Wen (Editor of Guangming Daily), WANG Shan Chao (Editor of Xinhua Digest), JIAN Chuan Jin (Editor of World Philosophy), JIA Hong Lian (Editor of Philosophical Trends), KONG Wei (Editor of Teaching and Research).
Professor YANG Geng delivered a conclusive speech afterwards. Scholars above provided massive inspirations for us all. The symposia was a feast for thoughts, boosting communication among departments of philosophy of different academic institutions, and that among Chinese philosophy, Western philosophy and Philosophy of Marxism, and also that of Science & Ethics and Aesthetics & Logics. It enabled a deeper understanding of “Philosophy is to grasp the times in thought” (Hegel), a deeper understanding of the thinking mode of Philosophy of Marxism and the revolutions and reformations it caused, and a deeper understanding of the philosophical tasks we are facing at present. We shall grasp philosophy of development emerging in the new era, carry forward the spirit of liberty and innovation, attempt to solve problems faced by contemporary Chinese ethics, comprehend the relationship between humanized nature and natural beauty, and lastly promote ethics to practical philosophy.
On the second day, Professor LIU Xiao Ting, LI Jian Hui, LI Xiang Jun, HUANG Wen Jie, XU Jia Xing, ZHENG Wei respectively talked on “Era as A Philosophical Issue” “70 Years of Epistemological Research in China” “Ethical Issues on Gene Editing of the Human Embryo” “Reflections on Basic Questions and Intrinsic Structure of Traditional Chinese Philosophy” “Space-time and Mind” “Reflections and Prospects on Categorical Research in China over the 70 years” “Intrinsic Logic of Values in Chinese Society and its challenge since the Reform and Opening-up”.
