First academic philosophy of science workshop solidifies connection between Notre Dame and Peking University
This summer, Notre Dame Beijing and the Peking University (PKU) Department of Philosophy co-organized their first academic workshop in philosophy of science at Lee Shau Kee Humanities Building of PKU.
The theme of the event was “Einstein on the ‘Principle Theories & Constructive Theories’ Distinction.” About 20 Peking University students attended this conference in person, but the reach of the event extended far beyond the walls of the Lee Shau Kee Humanities Building. More than 9,000 scholars and students from universities all over China attended the conference via a live-streaming channel.
Notre Dame Department of Philosophy Professor Don Howard, a founding member of the Notre Dame-Peking University joint summer philosophy program, noted that he was “astounded by the coverage that the event had in China.”
After opening remarks from Yanjing Wang, Ph.D., the vice-chair of the department of philosophy at PKU, Howard delivered the keynote speech at the event. His talk focused on his recent work on the history of “Principle Theories–Constructive Theories” distinction proposed by Albert Einstein.
Participants commented on topics including Einstein’s view on analytic and synthetic, this distinction’s actual impact on his research, and the contemporary rediscovery of Einstein’s contribution to the philosophy of sciences.
“That lecture was enlightening and the distinction really deepened my understanding of physical theories,” one undergraduate student from the School of Physics shared.
Throughout the workshop, invited panelists—leading scholars themselves—commented on Professor Howard's broad contributions to the field of philosophy. Professor Yanyong Du from Tongji University in Shanghai conveyed Howard’s foresight on the significance of Einstein’s social philosophy and AI ethics. Professor Danian Hu from Southern University of Science and Technology in Shenzhen reviewed the intricate history of Einstein studies and China, in which Howard played a remarkable role. Professor Chuang Liu from Fudan University in Shanghai highly appraised Howard’s generous contribution to the community of philosophy of physics. And Notre Dame alumnus and Wuhan University Professor Peter Finocchiaro talked about Howard’s help during his metaphysics research.
The conference concluded with closing remarks from Jingyu Wang, the executive director of Notre Dame Beijing. With insightful talks from renowned scholars and thousands tuning in through the livestream, it’s safe to say the workshop was a crowning moment of the joint summer philosophy program.
Reflecting on the work that went into creating the program, Yanjing Wang describes it as a “groundbreaking attempt in the context of the long-term exchange and cooperation between the two schools.” Wang credits much of the success to Howard, who has been a part of the planning efforts from the beginning, and whose knowledge and leadership have been vital to the new program.
While Howard will not be a speaker next year, the academic workshop will continue to be a prominent event of the program, thanks to Notre Dame Department of Philosophy Associate Professor Nicholas Teh taking up the helm. In summer 2025, Teh will take Howard’s place teaching at Peking University and will help organize the next academic workshop on the theme of philosophy of science.
“I am very happy to see that the initiative has received unanimous positive feedback from the teachers and students of both sides,” Yanjing Wang shares. “I hope that the connections and cooperation activities between the two universities will be more and more successful under the joint efforts of Peking University and Notre Dame Beijing.”
Originally published by at beijing.nd.edu on September 11, 2024.