The second phase of “Face to Face with Academics”, a summer activity of School of Philosophy and Society was held on July 28^th, at 2:30 p.m., in Room A310 of Tianshan Building. Professor Kong Mingan from Nankai University was invited to communicate with students on the theme of “frontier issues of contemporary Marxist philosophy”. This activity was hosted by Dean Chen Shengbai and Professor Fang Xiliang of the School of Philosophy and Society.Graduate and undergraduate students from the School of Philosophy and Society and the School of Marxism participated in the lecture.

    First of all, Prof. Kong shared some academic experience with the students, emphasized the real use of materials, and talked about the differences between Chinese and Western education. In the social sciences, he also said, students can never ignore the study on people.

    Next, Prof. Kong began the topic on the theme of this activity, pointing out that the issue of subject is the forefront of contemporary Marxist philosophy. By sorting out the development of the subject in the history of philosophy, Professor Kong told the students that the development of western philosophy connects the past and the future, and the later development of Marxist philosophy involves psychoanalysis, phenomenology and other fields, so students should pay attention to broaden their horizons so as to establish a complete knowledge system. After that, several students asked Prof. Kong some questions including economic determinism and the diversity of human nature, and Prof. Kong communicated with them.

    In the end, Prof. Fang made a brief summary and pointed out that the topic of ‘how to break through the dichotomy of subject and object in practical materialism’ mentioned by Prof. Kong has a great space for study, the research in which was encouraged for students present to conduct. This lecture enabled students to expand their academic horizon further, and understand the cutting-edge issues of philosophy better. Students were also impressed by the profound knowledge and broad academic vision of Prof. Kong. With thinking and discussing put into the depth, an academic feast was enjoyed by all people present.

 (Photos and text by Miao Ruirui)