On the afternoon of November 21, Prof. Shi Zhikang, a renowned research expert on foreign languages and literatures, professor at Shanghai Foreign Language University and supervisor of doctoral students, was invited to give an academic lecture entitled The Interplay of Chinese and Western Cultures - The Interpretation of the Analects of Thought in Conference Room 513 of the Chance Building. The lecture was conducted by Professor Ouyang Mehe, Dean of the School of International Communication and Exchange, Secretary of the Party General Branch and Director of the International Students Office. Faculty and students of the SICE listened to this lecture.
Shi explains in seven parts, in both Chinese and English, including: benevolence, education at three levels, civilized etiquette, moderation, diligence, health and reinvention. Shi Zhikang explained the main concepts and doctrinal principles of Confucianism in a very simple language, starting from the famous quotations of Confucius, Laozi and Franklin, Carnegie and Socrates, which are familiar to teachers and students. Then, it is extended to the cultural level to analyze the differences in the expressions of East and West cultures, explaining the similarities and intersections between the two in terms of cultural pursuits, spiritual pursuits and the realization of life values. He points out that the essence of Confucianism boils down to one word, benevolence, which in English translates into Kindness, Generosity, Charity, which is also promoted in Western culture. He said, The outward manifestations of culture are diverse, but different cultures of thought are intermingled. The world is a unity of multiculturalism and plurality of ideas, and despite the different colours and customs of people from different regions, all human beings share a common pursuit of values.
In this lecture, Shi Zhikang interprets traditional Chinese culture from the perspective of the Analects , and uses Western culture and literature that is familiar to international students. This practice of using the language of the teachers and students present to speak the great ideas of China in a way that they can understand has effectively promoted the spread and understanding of Chinese culture in the world. The whole lecture was very informative and interesting.
Shi Zhikang's unique insights, meticulous logic, broad vision and humorous speech also stimulate the enthusiasm of the teachers and students to interact. Tran Ngoc Anh, an international student from Vietnam, said excitedly, Although I didn't know much about Confucius before, I learned about his doctrine of 'Ren' today, and I agree with his optimistic outlook on life, there are so many similarities between China and the West! She expressed a keen interest in Chinese culture and wanted to learn more about Confucius' ideas and knowledge about China.
After the lecture, Ouyang Meihe said that Shi Zhikang's translation and interpretation of the Analects of the Confucius is not just a simple conversion of words, but an exchange of the essence of Chinese and Western thought, a feast of ideas. (Written by Hu Yuke and photographed by Yang Yingshu)
School of International Communication and Exchange
(International Student Office)
November 22, 2017.
