An international academic conference titled "A Century of Process Thought: Commemorating Whitehead's Legacy at Harvard and Beyond", in memory of Alfred North Whitehead's first lecture in Harvard's Emerson Hall, was held at Harvard University on 27 September 2024.
The conference was initiated by the Centre for Whitehead Studies at UIC Institute for Advanced Study (IAS), and co-organised by multiple institutes, including the Centre for Process Studies in the US, the Whitehead Research Project, the Harvard Chinese Students and Scholars Association (Harvard CSSA), and Liberal International Boston Modern Language School.
It attracted more than 50 scholars from China, the US, and Europe to gather at Harvard University, along with over 700 online participants, to jointly discuss the influence of Whitehead's philosophical ideas on various disciplines and their modern significance.
This event marked the 45th anniversary of the establishment of China-US diplomatic relations and provided a significant platform to promote academic communications and exchanges between the two countries.
Guests included the representatives of the Education Office of Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in New York, Consul Mr Geng Junwei and Vice Consul Mr Ma Jingjin attended the opening ceremony. A descendant of Whitehead, George Whitehead; preeminent scholar in the field of process philosophy and process theology, member of American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and constructive post-modernists Dr John Cobb, Jr; and Director of the Centre for Process Studies Dr Jay McDaniel, were invited to give speeches via videos, sharing their insights into the development of Whitehead's thought.
UIC President Prof Chen Zhi and Director of UIC IAS Prof Tang Tao also delivered video speeches, addressing the guests and scholars while demonstrating UIC's leading contribution to the development of Whitehead's thought research.
Prof Chen pointed out that Whitehead's education philosophy echoes UIC's, emphasising the changing and connective process of learning, and viewing the world as an integrated and complex whole. Prof Tang said UIC IAS will continue to promote interdisciplinary research and innovation with the support of the thought.
Group photo taken at the conference
The process philosophy of Whitehead has been applied in a wide variety of disciplines, including ecology, theology, education, physics, biology, economics, and psychology. To further promote interdisciplinary research and international cooperation, UIC established the Centre for Whitehead Studies at its IAS.
The conference revolved around topics including the profound impact of Whitehead's philosophical ideas on various disciplines and his influence on Chinese scholars and thought.
UIC's scholars, including Chairman of the conference, Acting Dean of the School of General Education (SGE) and Director of the Centre for Whitehead Studies Prof Guo Haipeng; Academic Registrar, Director of Research Development and Knowledge Transfer Office Prof Li Jianhui; Dean of Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Prof Tze-ki Hon; and SGE Prof Yang Fubin, were invited to present their academic findings during the conference.
Acting Dean of the School of General Education (SGE) and Director of the Centre for Whitehead Studies Prof Guo Haipeng
Academic Registrar and Director of Research Development and Knowledge Transfer Office Prof Li Jianhui
Dean of Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Prof Tze-ki Hon
Prof Yang Fubin of UIC School of General Education
From MPRO
Reporter: Cecilia Yu
Photos provided by Centre for Whitehead Studies at UIC IAS
Editor: Deen He
