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Abstract

Understanding and shaping the world are always related with the transformation of the world from its original state into the actual world. The world in its original state is the world as it is of itself. It is only when humans function in the world in their various ways that the questions of understanding and shaping the world arise. The processes of people functioning in the world are also the processes of the unfolding of “affairs” (shi). Affairs (shi) are primarily interrelated with actual human activity. According to Chinese philosophy, “affairs are action” and “all affairs in the world arise from conduct.” “Affairs” also refers to the outcomes of people’s conduct and action. An outlook that sees the world in terms of affairs seeks to understand and shape the world on the basis of actual human activity and its outcomes.

Bio

Yang Guorong is a senior professor at East China Normal University, dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, director of the China Modern Thought and Culture Research Institute at the Key Research Base of Humanities and Social Sciences of the Ministry of Education, and director of the academic committee of the university. He is also the Dean of Ma Yifu Academy at Zhejiang University, Changjiang Scholar of the Ministry of Education, and a member of the 5th and 6th Philosophy Discipline Evaluation Groups of the Academic Degrees Committee of the State Council. His main research areas include Chinese philosophy, comparative philosophy between China and the West, ethics, metaphysics, etc. He has published more than 20 academic works, and various works have been translated into English and Korean. He has been published in Indian University Press, Brill, and others. His academic part-time positions include the President of the International Metaphysics Society (ISM), Academician of the International School of Philosophy (IIP), Former President of the International Society of Chinese Philosophy (ISCP) (2019-2022), President of the Chinese Philosophical History Society, etc.