As part of a post-pandemic initiative, the Philosophy Department partnered with the School of Philosophy of the Australian National University, one of the leading philosophy departments in the English-speaking world, to organize a two-day workshop for advanced graduate students. The discussions combined an excellent spirit with rigorous critique.
Following an official welcome by Dean Arnade of the College of Arts, Language and Letters, intense debates unfolded across a wide spectrum of topics, including moral psychologies East and West; natural environment, national well-being, and multicultural society; Confucianism, Daoism, and the human condition; among others. The workshop presented unique early-career research, collaborations across graduate students and faculty, and work in progress by senior professors. UHM contributed substantially to comparative East-West philosophy, an area in which the department receives global recognition for excellence.
After the workshop, ANU colleagues reported that the workshop created “a stimulating event that was marked by both high philosophical engagement and friendly warmth.” It was equally important to enhance a sense of place—philosophical inquiry is most productive when situated in a concrete context. By gathering together in Hawaiʻi, participants reflected on the relationship between conceptual thinking and practical solutions, between innovative perspectives and traditional values, and other connections.
Robust expertise was provided by faculty members of ANU and UHM, each contributing as a leading expert in their field. According to our guests: “UHM were exceptional hosts: The group was officially welcomed by Dean Arnade of the UH College of Arts, Language and Letters, and attended a friendly opening reception that was organised by members of the UHM graduate community, who took excellent care of the ANU graduate students and made everyone feel extremely welcome.” The CALL Uehiro Program worked with the Department of Philosophy to host this event.