New Asia College The Chinese University of Hong Kong eNewsletter

New Asia Lectures on Confucianism 2022 were successfully held in October, with Prof. Cheng Kat-hung Dennis, Chair Professor of Cultural History, The Education University of Hong Kong, as the keynote speaker to deliver three public lectures.

The New Asia Lectures on Confucianism were launched in 2013 under the sponsorship of the Moonchu Foundation. Each year, a distinguished scholar in Confucianism studies is invited to the College to deliver public lectures, with the aim of arousing interest among academics and the general public in more in-depth exploration of Confucianism through discussions on various issues.

The First Lecture entitled “Shifting Discourses on the ‘Ru’ (儒) in Modern China” was held at Sir Run Run Shaw Hall, CUHK at 6:30 p.m. on 19 October, and was moderated by Prof. Cheng Chung-yi from the Department of Philosophy of CUHK. The Lecture was also the College Bi-Weekly Assembly with over one thousand College students and staff participating in. At first, Prof. Dennis Cheng introduced “The Origin and Development of Confucianism”, then based on Mr. Mou Tsung-san’s studies, brought out two significant questions — What is the way out and transformation for Confucian scholars? And the impact of heresy and inter-cultural issues on Confucianism? Prof. Dennis Cheng explained that from the Ming Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty, there was a movement on Confucianism carried out quietly: the knowledge of the four volumes of the Chinese classics and its sub-collections enriched the studies of Confucianism. Also, the decline of Confucianism in the late Ming Dynasty led to the prosperity of Confucianism in the later period. As for heresy and inter-cultural issues on Confucianism, Prof. Dennis Cheng believed that this has always been a psychological “hurdle” among the Confucian scholars, including confusion, obstruction, submission...and identity crisis persisted.

The Second Lecture entitled “Construing the Relationship between Yijing Studies and Confucian Studies from a Philosophic Point of View” was held at Function Room, 4/F, Administration Building, Hong Kong Cultural Centre at 3:00 p.m. on 22 October, with Prof. Yao Zhihua from the Department of Philosophy of CUHK as the moderator. Prof. Dennis Cheng first detailed the reasons for the decline of “Yi” philosophy in the past century, including some erroneous views on “Yi” studies. Prof. Cheng then started with the five principles of “Yi”: (1) Asymmetry, (2) Stimulation, (3) Dynamical continuity, (4) Creativity, and (5) Unpredictability, and further explained the relevance of Yijing Studies, Confucian Studies and philosophy. In the conclusion, Prof. Cheng also pointed out that there is an influence of “Yi” philosophy on Confucian philosophy but the two philosophies are not the same.

The Third Lecture entitled “The Differences between Dai Zhen’s Conception of the Psycho-Physical Force (Qi) and the Han Scholars’ Discourse on the Emanating Material Force (Yuanqi)” was held at Lecture Theatre 4, Yasumoto International Academic Park, CUHK at 4:30 p.m. on 28 October, with Prof. Huang Yong from the Department of Philosophy of CUHK as the moderator. Prof. Cheng started with the development of “Qi” theory in the history of Chinese thought, and then brought out Dai Zhen’s theory of “Qi”. Prof. Cheng believed that both Dai Zhen’s “Qi” theory and Han Scholars’ “Qi” theory were inherited from the Yin-Yang “Qi” theory of pre-Qin period, but they are not the same. Dai Zhen’s “Qi” theory also emphasizes differentiation/unity, while the latter is a philosophical exposition, and the former one was developed into the idea of equality. The idea of “differentiation” especially contains modernity. This involves the equality issue of ethics in Chinese society. It foretells the social movement on reformation which happened in China two hundred years later. Therefore, it can be seen that Dai Zhen’s “Qi” theory carries both philosophical and sociological significance.

Through the three lectures, Prof. Cheng enhanced the audience’s understanding of and interest in Confucianism, “Yi” studies and philosophy. The audience also raised a lot of discussions and positive feedback during the lectures. Besides, the “Exhibition of Publications by Prof. Cheng Kat-hung Dennis, Distinguished Scholar of the New Asia Lectures on Confucianism 2022” was successfully held on G/F, New Asia College Ch’ien Mu Library from 3 October to 11 November. The College would like to express its heartfelt thanks to all participants for their support to the lectures.