From July 7 to July 13, 2024, the "International Symposium on Comparative Studies of Process Philosophy and Chinese Thought and Whitehead Process Philosophy Summer Academy" was successfully held at BNBU, hosted by the Center for Whitehead Studies. The symposium and summer academy attracted more than fifty experts, scholars, young teachers, and students from the United States, Germany, and China, aiming to explore issues related to the integration, development, and inherent connections between process philosophy and Chinese thought.

On the day of the symposium, Dr. John Cobb Jr., a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and Dr. Andrew Schwartz, Executive Director of the American Process Studies Center, sent congratulatory messages to the event, wishing the symposium and summer seminar a successful completion at UIC.

Following that, Professor Wang Zhihe, Executive Dean of the Postmodern Development Research Institute of China and the U.S., Dr. John Baker from California State University, Dr. Justin Heinzecker from Koresh College, Professor Han Ziqi, Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at UIC, Professor Guo Haipeng, Vice Dean of the School of General Education and Director of the Center for Whitehead Studies at BNBU, Professor Wang Kun, Dean of the Marxism College at Zhejiang Normal University, Professor Tian Song from Southern University of Science and Technology, and others gave splendid presentations and reports on their respective research fields. The attending faculty and students listened attentively to the lectures and engaged in deep discussions and interactions with the speakers during the symposium.

• Guest Speech

Dr. John Cobb Jr., a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, sent a congratulatory message for the 

convening of this conference

Andrew Schwartz, Executive Director of the Center for Process Studies in the United States, sent a congratulatory message

Wang Zhihe, Executive Director of the Sino-American Postmodern Development Institute in the United States, 

delivered the opening address

• Theme sharing

Professor Han Ziqi, Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at UIC, shared the topic 

"I Ching and Process Philosophy."

Dr. Wang Zhihe, Executive Director of the Sino-American Development Institute, shared the topic "Whitehead and the Second Enlightenment."

Professor Guo Haipeng, Associate Dean of the School of General Education at BNBU and Director of the Whitehead Research Center, shared the topic "The Origin and Development of Whitehead's Organic Philosophy."

Dr. John Baker from California State University, USA, shared the topic "Environment and Human Agency: A Process and Classical Chinese Response."

Dr. Justin Heinzeker from Goshen College, USA, shared the topic "Cosmopolitanism and Ecological Civilization: Whitehead and Confucian Perspectives on Relational Pedagogy and Assessment in Higher Education."

Professor Li Jianhui, Provost of BNBU, shared the topic "The Centennial Debate Between Einstein and Bergson and Its Influence on Whitehead."

Professor Wang Kun, Dean of the School of Marxism at Zhejiang Normal University, shared the topic "Whitehead's Chinese Disciples at Harvard."

Dr. Justin Heinzekehr's "Story of Whitehead's Western Science"

Prof. Tian Song from Southern University of Science and Technology shared

Dr. David Bartosch, a German professor at Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai Campus, shared the topic "A Trilateral Comparative Analysis of Whitehead, Plotinus, and Wang Yangming."

Professor Yang Li from Harbin Normal University shares the insights of Whitehead University's educational philosophy on the reform of Chinese universities

Professor Yang Fubin, Dean of the Honors College at Beijing Institute of Technology, Zhuhai, presented "A Comparison of Marx's and Whitehead's Concepts of Process."

Group Photo of Seminar Guests

Group Photo of All Seminar Participants

• Seminar learning

The symposium concluded successfully on July 7, and for the following week, thirty-four philosophy-loving participants engaged in five days of seminar-style learning under the guidance of the experts. The experts gave in-depth analyses on topics such as "What Whitehead's Philosophy is Not: A Brief Analysis of Process Ontology," "Whitehead: The Man and His Thought," and "Towards a Constructive Postmodern Lifestyle," allowing the participants to gain a more systematic understanding of process philosophy. Meanwhile, the center organized a Youth Forum, evening salons, and other activities, giving participants the opportunity to share their research insights on process philosophy. The participants enthusiastically discussed and exchanged ideas with their mentors. The school also provided participants with the opportunity to experience BNBU's distinctive WPE (Whole-Person Education) courses, aiming to let attendees feel the tremendous appeal of process philosophy and education.

Professor Yang Fubin is teaching

Professor Guo Haipeng is teaching

Young scholars share research results

Young scholars ask, answer, and discuss with each other

Classmates experience pottery class

Classmates experience kayaking classes

Participating scholars conduct off campus inspections

Students participate in evening salons

• Closing ceremony

On July 13, the Process Philosophy Summer Academy successfully concluded. During the closing ceremony, guests and participants shared their course experiences and were awarded certificates of completion.

The instructor issues graduation certificates to the students

During this event, scholars from around the world gathered together, and through in-depth discussions and exchanges on process philosophy, they deepened the academic community's understanding of the integration between Whitehead's philosophy and Chinese culture. The Whitehead Research Center will continue to provide a platform for communication and collaboration, promoting the development of philosophical thought in practical applications. We believe that through continuous efforts, the integration of process philosophy and Chinese thought will provide unique and profound perspectives in addressing the challenges faced by the modern world.

Text and picture: Chen Lu, Qi Changren

Editor: Geng Qiupeng, Wu Xiaobo

Reviewed by: Center for Whitehead Studies