This October, Dr. Heiner F. Klemme, professor of philosophy at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, visits Fudan as a fellow through Fudan Fellow program, a scheme aiming to invite outstanding scholars from around the world to Shanghai for on-campus academic interaction with the Fudan community.
Famous for his research on German philosophy, especially on Immanuel Kant, one of the most influential philosophers of the Enlightenment and the founder of transcendental idealism, Dr. Klemme has delivered keynote speeches and lectured at several universities during his stay in China.
“It’s worthwhile to go for it.” In an interview with reporters from Fudan University Media Center, Klemme noted making exchanges and going abroad help him find new perspectives.
Q: What attracted you to Fudan?
Klemme: I was invited to come here as a Fudan Fellow earlier this year. Before that, I already had good relationships with many scholars from the School of Philosophy here. Dr. QIAN Kang, now an assistant professor here at Fudan, obtained his Ph.D. under my supervision at the University of Halle-Wittenberg. I also met Prof. DENG Anqing of Fudan University in 2016, and I invited Prof. SUN Xiangchen, dean of the School of Philosophy, to present a paper at our Seminar of Philosophy in 2020. In February of this year, we organized in Halle a workshop on the reception of Kant in China, which was attended by professors from Fudan University.
Q: Why are you so interested in China?
Klemme: I’ve been interested in China from very early on. Back in my bachelor’s years, I majored in Philosophy, and one of my minors was Classical Chinese. Since then, I’ve been studying Chinese philosophy and culture for a certain period of time, but I only managed to go to China for the first time in 2008, when I was invited by Peking University to take part in a conference on the philosophy of the Enlightenment. It’s always interesting to learn different perspectives. When I come to China, I can really get insight into its culture, traditions, and how people here think and behave.
Q: What are your impressions of China and Fudan?
Klemme: Chinese scholars are devoted to what they’re doing and are also well-informed. It’s impressive to see how far China has advanced in terms of research in philosophy. Discussions and the exchange of research results here at Fudan take place at an international level. I think scholars and students at Fudan are very interested in relationships and cooperation between universities on an international level. The professors have a passion for improving their teaching and research while providing students with opportunities to go abroad. I think it’s quite valuable in this era. Many scholars graduated from universities abroad, not least in Germany.
Q: Chinese philosophical studies are different from those in Germany. What differences in perspectives on Kant have interested you the most?
Klemme: One of the most important questions in Kant studies is: what role does Kant play for us today? Who presents the best arguments, and who is the most engaging for contemporary audiences and problems? It’s quite interesting to see what Kant scholars are doing in China above providing new interpretations of Kant.
There is a long tradition of Kant reception in China which was shaped by Confucianism and continues to be shaped to this day. But there are of course also other lines of reception. For example, through Critical Theory and Marxism. It is interesting and revealing to find out what significance Kant has within these lines of reception in China. Phenomenology, coined by Edmund Husserl and Martin Heidegger, also plays a major role. Through these and other phenomenologists, Kant is of interest in China today, too.
Q: While you’re gaining new perspectives when attending conferences around the world, what positive impacts do you expect to bring to them?
Klemme: The impact I would like to bring is to make people interested in the subject: see its fun parts, read certain things, and discuss certain topics. Meanwhile, I can learn by teaching. It is important for me to get reactions and questions—sometimes questions I cannot answer immediately. These are the valuable ones because I have to think about them.
Q: What are your expectations for future academic exchanges?
Klemme: Same as before. I hope I can have chances to see the world in its diversity and to see where unity and diversity stand. So, I appreciate very much the opportunity to learn more and also the possibility to help others gain new ideas.
Q: Anything you’d like to say to future applicants to Fudan Fellow program?
Klemme: It’s worthwhile to go for it.
Q: Any words for Fudan students?
Klemme: For those studying philosophy, take opportunities to go further and make the most of your life. If you have the chance to go abroad, take it—wherever it may take you—because you will never return as the same person with all the new perspectives. Of course, there’s the possibility of being disappointed, but I guess it’s worthwhile to go for it too.
What is Fudan Fellow Program?
The Fudan Fellow Program invites outstanding scholars from all over the world to Shanghai to participate in academic communication at Fudan University. The program offers an ideal research environment, a vibrant community and a unique platform for establishing meaningful connections.
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Presented by Fudan University Media Center
Writer: ZHOU Yiting, WANG Jingyang
Editor: WANG Mengqi, LI Yijie
