Liu Wei: Philosophy Researchers Have to Endure Loneliness

China Youth Online, Beijing, November 12 (Ye Yuting, Reporter of China Youth Online, China Youth News) Today, a meeting was held in celebration of the 60th Anniversary of School (Department) of Philosophy, Renmin University of China. Present were more than 1000 people, including alumni, faculty and students of School (Department) of Philosophy, RUC as well as distinguished guests of various circles.

Liu Wei, President of RUC said in his speech that for more than half a century, School of Philosophy had advanced with the times and contributed a lot of ideological achievements influencing social progress and academic development, which had three prominent features.

“Firstly, it abides by the principle that true philosophy is the essence of the spirit of the times, advances with the times and is accompanied by the truth. Secondly, it values integration of history and theory in philosophy research, with the history being the basis and theory being supplement, and focuses on ideological innovation and conceptual guidance. Thirdly, it has the courage to make innovations in talent cultivation. Since the new century, School of Philosophy has probed into measures such as tutorial system, admission application and approval system for doctoral candidates, and experimental class of philosophy, politics and economics, with remarkable achievements,” said Liu Wei.

With respect to future development of School of Philosophy, Liu Wei pointed out that it should stick to the policy of “remembering the original, learning from good experience from others and facing the future”, and play a greater role in prospering and developing philosophy and social sciences.

Liu Wei also said that “the faculty and students in School of Philosophy are expected to continue to be rigorous and solid in teaching and learning and be devoted to scholarship. Philosophy has the character of freedom and the enthusiasm for seeking the truth; meanwhile it requires rigorous scholarship, and those engaged in philosophy research should have the determination and ability to resist various external temptations, endure loneliness and concentrate on what they are doing, so as to bring about more excellent fruits and works that can be handed down.”

Liu Wei indicated that he wished the faculty and students in School of Philosophy could always stick to the principles of originality and contemporaneity, inherit good traditions from their predecessors, be good at inheriting and carrying forward the essence of Chinese excellent traditional culture, and at the same time cultivate an international perspective, bring Chinese philosophical culture to the rest of the world, present the spirituality of modern and contemporary Chinese scholars and make due contributions to acceleration of the construction of philosophy and social sciences with Chinese characteristics.

At the meeting, Prof. Jin Nuo, Secretary of the Party Committee of RUC granted Lifetime Achievement Award of School of Philosophy to Prof. Chen Xianda and Prof. Zhang Liwen, and Outstanding Contribution Award of School of Philosophy to Prof. Liu Dachun and Prof. Guo Zhan.

Source: http://news.163.com/16/1112/20/C5MRO831000187VI.html