Peking University, October 31: From October 13 to 20, 2016, Professor Sean Sayer, Emeritus Professor of Philosopy at University of Ken and Guest Professor of Peking University, was invited to deliver a series of lectures.
The themes of Professor Sayer’s four lectures include Marx’s philosophy of history, Marx’s Materialism, Marx’s idea of progress and Marx’s idea of communism.
Professor Sayer focused on Marxist view of history, he analyzed the connections and distinctions between Marxism and other typical examples of western philosophies, especially Hagel’s idealism. He expressed a variety of opinions during the lectures, on how Marx inherits and surpasses Hagel’s philosophy, the defects and weaknesses of traditional historical materialism, two western defining methods of communism and related further dissection.
In the discussing part of every speech, participating scholars and students launched inquiries about issues of their interest and about the contemporary China. Professor Sayer answered these questions, using his experience of field visits and academic scrutiny over the last forty years. He stressed several times that a good question is half the success; andhe held out great hope for China, for there is the firm guidance from communistic belief in China, as well as that China has the progressive power emphasized in Marxism.
The lectures were held by Professors Yu Wenli, Sun Daiyao and Xun Qingzhi from School of Marxism.
Written by: Wang Xi
Edited by: Xiao Yunyun
