Bulletin Autumn‧Winter 2004

Citation Prof. Lao Yung-wei (Lao Sze-kwang), BA L ao Yung - wei is one of the greatest l i v i n g Chinese ph i l o s ophe r s. The author of more than 30 monographs, his wo rk plays a vital role in bringing Chinese p h i l o s o p h i c al t r a d i t i o ns i n t o f r u i t f u l conversation w i t h those of the West. A t h ome as mu c h w i t h Ka n t, Hege l, a nd Wittgenstein as w i t h Zhuangzi, Mencius, a n d Wa ng Y a n g - M i n g, P r o f. Lao has d e v e l o p ed an o r i g i n al a p p r o a ch that extracts u s e f ul elements f r om d i ve r se reflective traditions. As a y o u ng scholar i n the 1950s, he spent mu ch of his energy s t u d y i ng the major figures of the Western philosophical tradition such as Kant, Hegel, Collingwood, Rousseau, J.S. M i l l , Toynbee, Cassirer, Qu i ne, and ma ny more. A m o n g these figures, the influence of Kant has been the most crucial and lasting one, as is seen i n his much - ac c l a imed book, Essentials of Kant's Theory of Knowledge (1957,2001). W i t h t h i s s o l i d b a c k g r o u nd i n We s t e r n philosophy Prof. Lao found his way back to a mo re t h o r o u gh t r e a t me nt of the Chinese philosophical tradition. Th r oughout his entire philosophical itinerary, Prof. Lao has been an eloquent exponent of the o r i g i n a l i ty of classical Chinese philosophy in relation to that of the West. In sharp contrast to the ‘China-centred' position adopted by most other Chinese philosophy specialists of Chinese origin, Prof. Lao has emphasized the necessity of considering Chinese philosophy w i t h in the entire setting of ‘the world-philosophy to c o m e ' (Essays on Cultural Problems, 1957, revised and enlarged edition 2000). H e has also cons i s t en t ly d e f e n d ed the need f or a problem-oriented and open-ended concept of philosophy, as opposed to the system- based, exclusive doctrines that dominate many other philosophical schools. It was in this sp i r it that Prof. Lao has w r i t t en a complete three-volume History of Chinese Philosophy (1968-1981,1984-86). Prof. Lao's interests are not merely theoretical, but practical. Some of his main concerns have been w i t h the history of Chinese cu l t u re and its expression i n contemporary socio-political realities. Some of his major books include China's Way Out (1981,2000), Lao Sze-kwang's Essays on Social and Political Issues (1989), Disenchantment and Legislation (1991), a n d New Reflections on the Future Developments of Chinese Culture (1993). The 61st Congregation 23