Obituary: Professor Liu Xiaogan
The Department of Philosophy at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) is deeply saddened by the passing of Professor Liu Xiaogan on 30 June 2026, at the age of 79. Professor Liu was our esteemed emeritus professor and one of the most distinguished scholars of Daoist philosophy of his generation. His death represents a significant loss to the field of Chinese philosophy.
Professor Liu was born in 1947 in Henan. He studied under the supervision of Zhang Dainian, and received his doctorate in Chinese philosophy from Peking University in 1985, where he subsequently served as a lecturer and associate professor. After holding teaching and research positions at various institutions in the United States and Singapore, he joined the Department of Philosophy at CUHK as a professor in 2001, serving with distinction until 2012.
His research centred on Daoist thought, with a particular focus on Laozi and Zhuangzi. His monographs—including Zhuangzi zhexue ji qi yanbian (Zhuangzi’s Philosophy and Its Evolution), Laozi gujin (The Laozi: Ancient and Modern), and Quanshi yu dingxiang(Interpretation and Orientation)—are cornerstone works that have shaped generations of scholars worldwide. He also pioneered in the methodological reflection on what he called the phenomena of “reverse geyi” (reverse matching of concepts), which has stimulated significant academic debate and reflection within the field.
Among Professor Liu’s most enduring contributions to the Department was his founding of the Research Centre for Chinese Philosophy and Culture in 2005. As its inaugural director, he possessed a pioneering vision to promote the exploration of new topics, new methodologies, new research areas, and new textual materials. Under his visionary leadership, the Centre launched its official journal and hosted numerous visiting programmes, international conferences, and workshops, establishing itself as a premier hub dedicated to advancing the rigour, scholarship, artistry, and creativity of research in Chinese philosophy and culture.
Throughout his career, Professor Liu received numerous teaching and research awards, standing as a testament to his excellence as both an educator and a scholar. His gracious kindness, rigorous intellectual standards, and unwavering commitment to the advancement of Chinese philosophy inspired all of us who had the privilege of learning from or working alongside him. His tenure at CUHK left an indelible mark on us and on the broader development of Chinese philosophical studies worldwide.
The loss of Professor Liu is deeply felt by colleagues, students, and the wider academic community. He will be profoundly missed.
The Department also extends its deepest condolences to Professor Liu’s family during this difficult time. All condolence messages we receive will be forwarded in full to Professor Liu’s family by our department.
Department of Philosophy, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
1 July 2026
香港中文大學哲學系訃告
本系榮休教授劉笑敢教授，於2026年6月30日零點45分因病在香港家中辭世，享年七十九歲。劉教授乃當代道家哲學泰斗，今歸道山，實為中國哲學界之重大損失。
劉教授1947年生於河南，1978年入北京大學哲學系師從張岱年先生，於1985年獲北京大學中國哲學博士學位，嗣後留校歷任講師及副教授。其後於美國及新加坡多所學府從事教研。2001年，劉教授履任本系教授，至2012年榮休。十餘載間，春風化雨，建樹宏卓。
劉教授治學以道家思想為宗，尤深研老莊。專著《莊子哲學及其演變》、《老子古今》及《詮釋與定向》等皆為學界圭臬，影響海內外學者至鉅。又提出重要概念「反向格義」，以反思中國哲學的詮釋，為解讀中國古典文獻別闢蹊徑，廣啟學界對中國哲學方法論之深思與論辯。
2005年，劉教授創辦「中國哲學與文化研究中心」，對本系乃至中國哲學學術界貢獻深遠。擔任創始主任期間，劉教授高瞻遠矚，極力推倡「新課題、新方法、新領域、新資料」之考索；又出版學術期刊，設立訪問學人計劃，屢辦國際會議及工作坊，為推動中國哲學與文化研究之嚴肅性、學術性、藝術性、創造性而竭力。
劉教授教研雙絕，屢膺殊榮；治學嚴謹，待人謙和。其畢生致力弘揚中國哲學之精神，深啟同袍與後進；於中大之深耕，更為本系以至世界中國哲學研究之長遠發展，奠立堅實基石。
哲人其萎，道範長存。劉教授之風範及貢獻，將長留本系師生心中。
亦謹向劉教授寶眷致以深切慰唁，敬祈節哀。各界發來的唁電，本系將一並轉達劉教授寶眷。
香港中文大學哲學系 哀啟
2026年7月1日
