Professor and a Ph.D. Supervisor of the Department of Philosophy at Tsinghua University; Major research field: Philosophy; Selected works: Intangible Economic Culture and Ecological Civilization (2016) [Chinese], A New Theory of Ecological Civilization (2013) [Chinese], Humanity’s Home: Philosophical Reflections on the Contradictions of Modern Culture (1996) [Chinese].
Speech Abstract
Pluralism, Dialogue and Democracy
20th century analytic philosophy, with its detailed language analysis and logical analysis method, indicates that humanity’s knowledge cannot completely conform to a logically consistent system in the form of absolute truth. The history of science also indicates humanity is unable to construct a universal science. This means truth, science, ideology, faith, and culture must be diverse, and cannot be unified. In a world where various ideologies, beliefs, and cultures coexist, it is better for us to seek peace and construct stability through dialogue.
Have universal rules of language is not able enough to promote dialogue. Dialogue is only possible if the participants have virtues necessary for dialogue like sincerity, tolerance, and modesty. Effective political dialogues necessarily require the dialogue partners to make necessary compromises. In a society with diverse faiths, democracy and the rule of law are good ways to a construct stable order. Democracy and the rule of law cannot be separated. Without democracy, we cannot have good rule of law; without the rule of law, democracy will lead to unrest.
Arbitrary rationalism is the obstacle to dialogues, and is also the great enemy of democracy. Arbitrary rationalists, in most cases, assert a monopoly on Truth, and affirm that those opinions which are different from theirs are wrong; they cannot listen to different voices. Rejecting arbitrary rationalism, we can insist on our basic position, and also can prepare ourselves to learn from others. Arbitrary rationalism is still an obstacle to the construction of China’s democratic rule of law.