Session one of the second panel of the Beijing Forum (Beauty through Each Other’s Eyes: Retrospection and Outlook on the Exchanges and Mutual Learning among Civilizations), was successfully held at at the Diaoyutai State Guest House on the afternoon of November 6, 2015. The topic of the session was “The Wisdom of the East and the West in the Exchanges and Mutual Learning among Civilizations”, and eleven speeches were delivered concerning the cultural traditions of China and the West as well as the interactions between the two traditions.
Professor Lou Yulie from the Department of Philosophy in PKU delivered an opening speech, with the topic of “Multiplicity of Culture and Harmony of the World”. He pointed out that there were conflicts in all areas, and culture was the key factor in eliminating conflicts.
To begin with, it is important to deal well with the relations between scientific and humanistic cultures. Presently we emphasize on scientific culture and neglect humanistic culture, and it is necessary that humanistic culture to be enhanced. Besides, the multiplicity of culture causes estrangement between different traditions, and it is important to recognize the differences first, then to respect each other, to reach mutual understanding, and to learn from each other. Then Professor Zhuo Xinping expatiated on the life community of human beings and holistic thinking. The two speeches started the discussion in general.
Later, scholars delivered speeches about the culture of both China and the West, and the comparison and interaction between them.
Professor Michael Welker pointed out that the western tradition of justice, mercy, and a spirit of freedom contributed to the communication worldwide both in the past and in the present. Professor Stewart J. Brown indicated that the Enlightenment formed another tradition in the west apart from religion, but both were based on moral values and brought people together. As a counterpart, Professor Wang Bo expounded the concept of Ren in Chinese tradition as virtue and right. By analyzing the form of the character, he explained that Ren indicated relation between two unequal persons. Thus, we should limit our self-consciousness and respect others.
Professor Park Jong-Chun’s speech about our common home comparing Romans 8:18-25 and Zhongyong 22, Professor Tiziana Lippiello’s speech on Cheng in Zhongyong and Matteo Ricci’s interpretation, Professor Nicholas Adams’ speech on Hegel’s China on God and beauty, and several other speeches provided the audience with a cross-cultural perspective on Chinese and western traditions.
The session ended with a few questions for the scholars to exchange opinions.
Written by: Zhong Xue
Edited by: Wei Yuchen
