Dialogue between Chinese and German philosophy held in Guiyang

Scholars from China and Germany exchange ideas on the Chinese philosophy of the mind and the German notion of "Geist". [Photo provided to China Daily]

The "Chinese Philosophy of the Mind and the World": A Dialogue between Chinese and German Philosophy commenced at Guiyang Confucius Academy in Southwest China's Guizhou province on July 23.

In 2024, to preserve and advance the essence of Chinese philosophy of the mind, the International Confucian Association, Nishan World Center for Confucian Studies, Guiyang Confucius Academy Cultural Communication Center, and Zhejiang Jishan Wang Yangming Academy jointly established the "Chinese Philosophy of the Mind and the World" Academic Alliance in Guiyang. This initiative received support from over 20 domestic and international academic institutions and scholars.

As a practical extension of the alliance's mission, the Sino-German dialogue centered on the philosophical exchanges between the Chinese philosophy of the mind and the German notion of "Geist".

Through four themed academic sessions, the event employed modern scholarship to explore the contemporary relevance of Chinese philosophy of the mind studies while deepening people's understanding of idealist "Geist". Participants examined how core Sino-German philosophical concepts contribute to shaping a new form of human civilization through intellectual cross-pollination.

The 2025 Summer Research Season was launched at the dialogue. The season features three thematic series comprising 12 diverse activities. Designed to advance research, practical application, and global dissemination of Chinese philosophy of the mind, it aims to integrate this wisdom into academic exploration, experiential learning, and daily life.

Following this, keynote addresses were delivered by Professor Michael Spieker (Munich University of Applied Sciences; German initiator of the dialogue), Professor Huang Yong (Chinese University of Hong Kong; editor-in-chief of Dao: A Journal of Comparative Philosophy, council member of the International Confucian Association), Professor Marko Fuchs (University of Bamberg), and Professor Chen Jiaying (Capital Normal University).