Interpersonal Harmony in Comparative Philosophy: Ancient and Contemporary Perspectives

This workshop explores the concept of interpersonal harmony across different philosophical traditions, with a particular focus on ancient Greek and Chinese thought. While the idea of harmony (harmonia in Greek, he 和 in Chinese) is often associated with balance and unity, different traditions develop this concept in distinct ways-sometimes as a model for ethical conduct, political order, or the cultivation of personal virtue.

Bringing together scholars working in ancient philosophy, comparative philosophy, and contemporary ethics, this workshop will examine how interpersonal harmony is understood in texts such as Plato's Republic, Aristotle's Politics, the Analects, and Mozi. Key questions include: What conditions are necessary for genuine interpersonal harmony? Is harmony best understood as mere absence of conflict or as an active and dynamic process? How do these ancient insights compare to contemporary debates in moral and political philosophy?

By fostering dialogue across traditions, the workshop aims to deepen our understanding of harmony as a philosophical ideal and its implications for modern ethical and political life.

To register for the workshop (for either in-person or virtual participation), please click here: https://duke.is/harmony

The papers for the workshop will be shared with registrants prior to the workshop.

Dates:

April 10-11, 9am-5pm

Location:

Smith Warehouse, Bay 4, C105, Ahmadieh Lecture Hall

Presenters:
Agnes Callard (University of Chicago)
Mariska Leunissen (UNC-Chapel Hill)
Chenyang Li (Nanyang University, Singapore)
Wenjin Liu (Duke University)
C.D.C. Reeve (UNC-Chapel Hill)
Aaron Stalnaker (Indiana University)
Robin Wang (Loyola Marymount)
David Wong (Duke University)

Co-sponsored by the Center for Comparative Philosophy and Duke Philosophy Department