Philosophy in China: Reflections on the 24th World Congress of Philosophy

I offer these reflections on philosophy in preparation for the opening of the 24th World Congress of Philosophy, to be held from August 13−20, 2018, at Peking University.1 The World Congresses of Philosophy have been in existence since 1900, so we are now in the second century of this tradition. As the elected President of FISP (Fédération Internationale des Sociétés de Philosophie, International Federation of Philosophical Societies), it is my great honour and privilege to preside also as President of this exciting and important 24th World Congress, which has enormous significance for China, and also for the whole international community of philosophy, and which will be, I believe, of ground-breaking importance for the future of philosophy in its expanding global context. Of course, the Conference is located in Peking University, but it is, in truth, a Congress hosted by the entire academic community in China, with the participation of all the philosophy departments in China. Based on the current number of participant registrations (more than 6000 as of middle of May), this 24th World Congress of Philosophy will be the largest and most diverse of all the philosophical congresses ever held since the first one was convened in Paris in 1900. Registered participants will arrive from more than one hundred countries around the world. I am certain that this important philosophical event will change our perception of philosophy for ever; it will also hopefully have an enduring impact on international cultural relations and promote mutual understanding, respect and trust around the world. © 2018 Brill Academic Publishers. All rights reserved.