TCAS Lecture: Emancipating China: Marxist philosophy in contemporary China

Little is known outside of China about its recent Marxist philosophy, even though it is an intellectual endeavour of enormous proportions with relevance beyond academia. There is a reciprocal influence between official ideology and political practice, as the emergence of key concepts in Chinese socialism and the history of the reception of Marx’s primary texts both reveal. In its own self-understanding, Chinese Marxist philosophy provides the theoretical basis for a project of national self-emancipation, as can be seen in current debates on culture (in its “second integration”), economics (a “new philosophy of development”), and politics (the “original aspiration and founding mission”). The theoretical challenge Chinese Marxism is currently facing is apparent in the prevailing concept of “civilization,” and leads to a key question: do the conditions for China’s emancipation also reflect the conditions for a general emancipation that extends beyond China?

Moritz Kuhlmann is a PhD candidate in philosophy at Renmin University of China and in sinology at the University of Munich. His research explores the Sinicization of Marxist philosophy and the intersections between Chinese and Western intellectual traditions. His broader academic interests include modern Chinese thought, comparative philosophy, and cross-cultural dialogue.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Robert Emmet Theatre (Room 2037), Trinity College Dublin, Robert Emmet Theatre (Room 2037), Dublin 2, Ireland

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