Peking University, October 4, 2021: On September 30, Roger Thomas Ames, humanities chair professor from the Department of Philosophy at PKU, was honored by the State Council with the Friendship Award from the Chinese Government of 2020, the highest recognition of foreign experts who have outstanding contributions to the modernization of China. Premier Li Keqiang met the winners of 2020 and 2021, totaling 100 foreign experts from 32 countries, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
In China, people might be more familiar with the prestigious recipient’s Chinese name, An Lezhe (安乐哲), which sounds similar to his English name and means “being delighted to philosophize”. Professor Ames expressed his gratitute for receiving the honor as a Professor of PKU. “In China, real friends are like family. I have lived and worked in Yanyuan for more than ten years, and my colleagues, students and friends at PKU have always been like family who care for and support me.” He said.
Roger T. Ames is humanities chair professor and PhD supervisor at PKU ,co-chairman of PKU Berggruen Research Center, chairman of the World Association of Confucian Culture Studies, and vice-chairman of the International Confucian Association. Since 1980s, he has been invited to give lectures by Chinese universities including Peking University, and has devoted himself to the education in comparative studies on Chinese and western philosophy. He has translated several Chinese philosophical classics including The Analects of Confucius(1998) and the Daodejing (with D.L. Hall) (2003). He has also authored several interpretative studies of Chinese philosophy and culture, including Thinking through Confucius (1987), Anticipating China: Thinking through the Narratives of Chinese and Western Culture (1998), and Living Chinese Philosophy (2021).
As an expert in comparative philosophy, he strives to build the bridge of culture and thought between East and West. He emphasizes the accuracy of the translation of Chinese philosophy terms so as to “let Chinese philosophy speak Chinese”. His thoughts and works contributes to the communication and mutual appreciation between Chinese and western philosophy, and the building of a community of common destiny.
Written by: Zhu Yongxin
Edited by: Ye Yimeng
