The 4th lecture of Tongji University High-Level Lecture Series on "Chinese Culture" and the 91st lecture of Tongji University Advanced Lectures for Graduate Students were held at Siping Road Campus on the evening of April 23. Upon invitation, Mr. CHEN Shaoming, Member of the Academic Degrees Committee of the State Council, Vice President of the Chinese Philosophy History Association and Professor at Sun Yat-Sen University, delivered an insightful lecture titled "Things as a Spiritual Phenomenon", which was attended by relevant officials from the School of Humanities and some 300 students from different departments and schools of Tongji University.
Prof. CHEN Shaoming delivering his speech
Starting from the familiar concept of "things", Prof. CHEN introduced the audience to the way of thinking advocated in ancient Chinese philosophy — "obtain the xiang of things via intuiting them both perceptually and eidetically", which describes how the ancients obtained the "symbols" of the "things" through the way of "intuiting" and as a result understood the external world. It was a process of shifting from concrete to abstract, and a way to bring "things" into their spiritual world. Through the genealogical analysis of "things", he divided "things" into five major categories, expounded the difference between spiritual "things" and those in common sense, and took the example of "memento" to elucidate how "things" strike root in one's heart, i.e. the process of spiritual objectification of "things", and how "things" carry sentimental significance in one's mind, arguing that the relationship between mind and things can be best described as "entangled with each other". Furthermore, Prof. CHEN also explicated "how eternity is projected into time and space" from the perspective of cultural relics and culture.
Featuring distinctive theme, profound insights and simple language, the lecture given by Prof. CHEN was highly applauded by the audience.
The audience in the lecture
Co-sponsored by the Publicity Department of the CPC Committee of Tongji University, the Graduate School and the School of Humanities, the High-Level Lecture Series on "Chinese Culture" invites influential domestic experts and scholars to give lectures on topics such as "Chinese History", "Chinese Philosophy", "Chinese Art", "Chinese Literature" and "Chinese System", in a bid to carry forward the spirit of President XI Jinping's important speeches on socialist culture, to edify, inspire and guide people with stunning traditional Chinese culture, to fortify the humanistic quality of young students, and to shore up the brand-oriented and quality-driven building of the Tongji Campus Culture. Held in tandem with lecture and event series on "Chinese Path" and "Chinese Spirit" and highlighting the fundamental task of "fostering virtue through education", this initiative aims to guide young students through the proud history, profound culture and national realities of China, to intensify their sense of national pride and national confidence, to stimulate their patriotism, to strengthen their ideals and beliefs, and to motivate them to thrive together with China and to score new achievements in keeping to the right path and making innovations.
https://news.tongji.edu.cn/info/1003/77379.htm
