Even a cursory examination of discourse regarding tradition in China and Europe reveals that not only the understanding of tradition differs but that the starting points, objectives, and content are also differ. Before we take a closer look at the tensions which characterize the relationship between tradition and innovation, it appears necessary to clarify what is meant by tradition in each discourse.
Attitudes towards tradition have been changing in China over the past century. Due to the damage traditions and customs in China received in historic upheavals of the past, Chinese culture today can appear to be more an aggregation of individuals rather than as a larger, coherent identity. Today, the importance of tradition is emphasized at all levels of Chinese society, focusing not only on creating a symbolic tradition but also reviving its roots, thereby giving rise to new discussions. The question of tradition in Europe is heavily influenced by perceived threats of globalization. One of the causes for confusion of the “local” is increased population mobility and a growing number of immigrants flocking to European countries.
What does “tradition” mean in China and in Europe? What are its core contents? Which traditions are perceived and which are not? What are the objectives of discourse about tradition?
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Professor Ole Döring is a German philosopher and Sinologist, with a specializing in culture and ethics. He has taught at several universities and conducted research across Asia. He has received honorable appointments from several Chinese Research Centers and Universities. In 2009, he received an award from Yixue yu Zhexue [Medicine and Philosophy] for his contribution to the advancement of ethics in medicine in China. His current research is focused on “Integrity and Adherence in Science and Medicine”, “Genetic Information: Epistemic, Organisational and Ethical Frameworks”, “Caring for the Elderly: Cultural Standards and Social Conditions for best Practice”, and “Curriculum for Chinese Philosophy“.
His work has been widely publicized. Ole Döring also plays an active role in engaging science-society interaction and has served as an advisor for several companies and governmental bodies.
Wang Bo (Professor of Philosophy, Peking University) was born in Chifeng, Inner Mongolia, in 1967. He is the Chair of the Department of Philosophy and the head of the Faculty of Social Sciences. He is one of the Chang Jiang Scholars. Wang's research focuses on the history of Chinese philosophy, the philosophy of Daoism, and early classical studies. His books include The History of Confucianism in China: The Volume on Pre-Qin Era, Analects on Literature in Bamboo and Silk Documents, The Philosophy of Chuang Tzu. He has published more than ninety academic papers in Chinese and English.
Michael Kahn-Ackermann(Stiftung Mercator China Special Representative)