Past Events

Workshop on Wang Guowei and His Times

The academic workshop "Wang Guowei and His Times," held at Hong Kong Baptist University from December 16–17, 2024, explored the life, work, and legacy of this pivotal figure in modern Chinese intellectual history. Co-hosted by the university's Jao Tsung-I Academy of Sinology and the Research Center in Taiwan of the Oriental Institute, Czech Academy of Sciences, the workshop brought together eleven renowned scholars from mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, the United States, and Japan. Discussions centered on Wang’s engagement with Western philosophy, particularly Kant and Schopenhauer, and his significant contribution to the evolution of Chinese thought. By analyzing his works, intellectual development, and academic transitions, participants illuminated various facets of modern Chinese intellectual and literary history.

Professor Zhang Hongsheng, Director of Hong Kong Baptist University’s Mr. Simon Suen and Mrs. Mary Suen Sino-Humanitas Institute, opened the workshop, reflecting on his personal connection to Wang’s scholarly tradition. He emphasized Wang’s role as a crucial intellectual bridge linking tradition and modernity, East and West, suggesting that revisiting Wang’s intellectual trajectory provides invaluable insights into the evolving dynamics of knowledge production in early 20th-century China.

Two keynote lectures set the stage for robust discussion. Professor Kung Peng-cheng of Shandong University’s School of Literature examined “Wang Guowei and the History of Chinese Literature in the Context of Global Trends in Sinology.” His presentation analyzed how figures like Wang and Lu Xun reshaped Chinese literary history within the context of Sinology’s introduction to China and its interaction with Western scholarship and Japanese National Learning. He highlighted the profound influence of Westernization and politicization on Chinese intellectual circles. Professor Chen Jianhua of the Chinese Classics Research Institute, Fudan University, presented “An Exploration of the Philosophical Relationship between Wang Guowei, Kant, and Schopenhauer,” focusing on Wang’s interpretation and reception of these philosophers. He traced the development of Wang’s philosophical thought under Western influence and its impact on his seminal work, Renjian cihua 人間詞話, Poetic Remarks in the Human World.

The workshop’s diverse presentations fostered rich intellectual exchange. Professor Viren Murthy of the University of Wisconsin-Madison offered a compelling argument that while Wang rarely mentioned Hegel, his philosophical trajectory shares a structural similarity with Hegel’s Phenomenology of Spirit, both emerging in the post-Kantian intellectual landscape. Professor Peng Chunling of Renmin University of China explored how Herbert Spencer’s The Philosophy of Style, through its synthesis of evolutionary theory and associationist psychology, shaped evolving concepts of individual and collective identity during China’s transition from the late Qing to the New Culture Movement. Professor Chen Huaiyu of Arizona State University examined the intellectual exchanges at the Tsinghua Academy of Chinese Learning, highlighting Wang’s central role and emphasizing the importance of this collaborative environment for his scholarly contributions. Professor Zhang Zhongmin of Fudan University analyzed Yao Mingda’s early work at Tsinghua, revealing his ambition for recognition in Zhang Xuecheng studies and his inclination towards established interpretations.

Professor Yiqun Zhou of Stanford University explored the intellectual bond between Wang and Wu Mi, particularly their shared understanding of “martyrdom” through the lens of Socrates. Professor Li Jianmin of Academia Sinica connected Wang’s intellectual shifts to the socio-political context, arguing that his inability to find solace in philosophy and realize his ideals led to his tragic suicide amidst the turmoil of Republican China. Professor Qiao Zhihang of Waseda University examined Wang’s view of philosophy as a bridge between Chinese and Western cultures, offering a fresh perspective on his intellectual endeavors. Professor Cheng Kat Hung of the Education University of Hong Kong analyzed Wang’s unique interpretations of “nature” (xing 性) and “desire” (yu 欲) in Jing'an Wenji 靜庵文集, highlighting his divergence from contemporary scholarly views and emphasizing the need for further research on his evolving understanding of “emotions” (qing 情). Professor Huang Kuan-yun of the Czech Academy of Sciences discussed Wang’s distinctive concept of mingli 名理, contrasting it with contemporary terms like “logic” and “philosophy” to reveal the depth of his engagement with Chinese ethical thought.

Over two days, the workshop participants offered multifaceted perspectives on Wang Guowei and his contemporaries, deepening our understanding of their intellectual contributions and opening new avenues for exploring Wang’s enduring legacy. The workshop’s multidisciplinary approach fostered a richer appreciation of Wang’s pivotal role in the transformation of modern Chinese thought.