Chinese philosopher joins the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences

Professor Bai Tongdong, 53, who teaches philosophy at Fudan University in Shanghai and New York University School of Law (NYU Law), was appointed by Pope Francis to the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, which was founded by Pope John Paul II in 1994. Embedding from scholar The Chinese at the academy is important, as Professor Pei specializes in political philosophy. His research focuses on political theories, starting with Confucian ideas.

Pope Francis appointed a Chinese scholar for the first time to the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, an independent institution based in the Vatican and founded by Pope John Paul II in 1^any January 1994, in Motu proprio social science.

The organization was established to promote the study and development of the social sciences, particularly economics, sociology, law and political science, consistent with the doctrine of the Church. Despite its independence, it maintains close relations with the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace in order to help the Church refine its social doctrine and better apply it to contemporary society, to help preserve peace and create a society based on the human being.

Professor Bai Tongdong, 53, teaches philosophy at Fudan University in Shanghai and New York University School of Law (NYU Law). He is one of three new members of the Pontifical Academy. The others are American sociologist Justin Farrell and Australian theologian Tracy Ann Patrice Rowland.

The academy is headed by Sister Helen Alford, a Dominican nun and economist (appointed president of the institution in 1^any April 2023). There are 35 members including economists Mario Draghi, Jeffrey Sachs, Joseph Stiglitz, philosopher Rocco Buttiglione, jurist Christophe Engel and political scientist Neeraja Gopal Gayal.

Workshop “Understanding China from Your Own Point of View”

The inclusion of a Chinese scholar in the Academy is particularly important because of the nature of Professor Bai’s research topics. Born in 1970 in Beijing, he received his doctorate in philosophy from Boston University. Dubbed “Master Bai” by his students in China, his research focuses on political theories, starting with Confucian ideas.
In recent years, he has been a distinguished communicator for Western universities on the study of the Chinese model. His most famous work is a book published in 2019 by Princeton University entitled “Against Political Equality: The Confucian Case” (“Against Political Equality: The Confucian Case”). In his book, Professor Pai argues that the egalitarianism of liberal democracies can conflict with the common good. On the other hand, Confucian philosophy – with its synthesis of unity and compassion – will present a series of universal concepts that are more applicable to societies and international relations.

This nomination clearly stems from a broader debate about the relationship between freedom, tyranny, and the common good, and about the challenges posed by China’s standing within the international community, particularly under President Xi Jinping. It is no coincidence that China should have a central place during the workshop planned by the Pontifical Academy for June 27-28 in Rome, in “Dialogue of Civilizations and the Common Good”. The aim of the event is to understand China, “Not from the perspective of external sources but from his own point of view,” by evaluation “its social, cultural, political and economic characteristics” as Its compliance with international obligations, laws and standards.

(with Asianews)