Major religions and spiritual traditions articulate their own visions of utopia, and these ideals have shaped the political and social foundations of their respective civilizations. The conference Utopias and Their Pursuit: A Comparative Study of the East and West seeks to explore utopian ideals and their practical manifestations by bringing Chinese and Western thought and historical experience into dialogue. Topics include philosophical and theological accounts and critiques of utopia; policies and historical events inspired by utopian visions; and the ways utopian ideas continue to influence contemporary global discourse. Please see the conference’s full program here. The online registration link can be accessed through scanning the QR codes in these two posters.
Category Archives: Conference
Chinese Philosophy-relevant panels at 2025 AAR
Michael Ing assembled the following list of panels at the annual American Academy of Religion (AAR) meeting, currently underway…
Here are panels of interest at the AAR this weekend. The entire program can be found here: https://papers.aarweb.org/program-book/30613. Looking forward to seeing you.
Sunday, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM | Sheraton, Boston Common (Fifth Floor)
Session ID: A23-109
Hosted by: Confucian Traditions Unit
Theme: Beyond Boundaries: Confucianism and The Evolution of Chinese Utopian Thought
The concept of utopia has long captivated thinkers across cultures, including in China, where diverse utopian visions emerged within Confucian, Daoist, and Legalist traditions. Scholars often argue that while Confucian utopias emphasized hierarchy and morality, Daoist models championed harmony with nature, whereas Legalist visions sought strict governance. However, rigid classifications overlook the fluidity of Chinese utopian thought, as thinkers often blended elements from different traditions. This panel challenges traditional paradigms by exploring varied Chinese utopian visions. The first paper critiques the Legalist utopia of Shang Yang and Han Feizi, highlighting its dystopian consequences. The second examines the utopian poetry of Tao Yuanming, revealing its Confucian influences. The third analyzes contemporary Confucian philosopher Zhang Xianglong’s proposal for Special Districts for Confucian Culture, showing its fusion of Confucian, Daoist, and Western ideas. Together, these studies demonstrate the adaptability of Chinese utopian thought, transcending rigid intellectual boundaries to shape evolving ideals of society.
Conference: Envisioning Futures: Decolonial and World Philosophical Approaches
The Department of Philosophy at The Chinese University of Hong Kong is hosting a hybrid conference titled “Envisioning Futures: Decolonial and World Philosophical Approaches” on 21-22 November 2025. Please find more information on the conference through this link.
NECCT 2025 Website with schedule and registration
The 2025 Northeast Conference on Chinese Thought (NECCT) will take place Friday, November 14 to Saturday, November 15, 2025 at Duke University. The conference website, with schedule, registration, and other information is here.
Hybrid Workshop: Friendship in Chinese Thought
The upcoming hybrid workshop “Friendship in Chinese Thought: Theories, Issues, and Perspectives” will be held at Lanzhou University and virtually on zoom. This workshop will bring together scholars and students to explore the rich and multifaceted ways friendship has been theorized, debated, and applied within the Chinese intellectual tradition. Please read here for the full schedule of the workshop and to access the zoom link. Continue reading →
CFP: 3rd Carolina Conference on Chinese Thought
The Carolina Conference on Chinese Thought (CCCT) is inviting scholars and graduate students to discuss their work on Chinese thought, drawing from any disciplinary perspective, at its 3rd conference, Friday, April 3 – Saturday, April 4, 2026. Presentations focusing on research, pedagogy, and other engagements with Chinese thought are welcome. Works- in-progress are especially encouraged, with the CCCT being a collegial atmosphere for collaboration. Proposals from scholars and graduate students based in the Carolinas and the U.S. Southeast region will be given preference for selection. Please see here for more details and submission guidelines.
ISEAP 2025: On-Line Registration Now Open
For those who wish to participate virtually in the 2025 International Society for East Asian Philosophy conference, please complete the following Google Form by Monday, August 25. The links will be sent to you by email on Wednesday, August 27.
Google Form for “Registration for Online Attendees”
https://forms.gle/yp88EirfTovoGNxc7
The conference program and abstracts can be downloaded from the conference website. https://iseap.jp/iseap-2025-conference/
CFA: ACPA Panels at 2026 Eastern APA at Baltimore
A panel for the Association of Chinese Philosophers in America at the 2026 Eastern Division Meeting of the APA will be held at Marriott Waterfront in Baltimore, MD, on January 7–10, 2026. Please read more for the submission guidelines.
Workshop on the “Foundations of Justice” in Venice this week
An International Workshop on the “Foundations of Justice: Chinese and Western Perspectives on Law, Ethics and Governance” will be held on 24-25 July at the Ca’ Foscari University of Venice; please see this poster and this program for more information.
2025 Post-Conference Report (ISCP-Ljubljana International Conference)
The International Society for Chinese Philosophy (ISCP) recently held its 24th biennial ISCP international conference at the University of Ljubljana (June 20-23, 2025) on the theme “Addressing Global Crises and Reimagining Solutions Through Chinese Philosophy.” Please find the report of the conference here.
