On the evening of 16th June, Professor Chen Bin of Department of Philosophy, East China Normal University brought the lecture on “the Fable of Dismemberment of Ox by Paodin and Chuang-tzu’s Life-long Wisdom” to us. The lecture took place in Room 303 in Phoenix Building and was hosted by Miss Fang Hui, Deputy Secretary of General Party Branch of SPEA. Over 50 students presented in that lecture.
Professor Chen at first interpreted the “Primary Health” multiple meanings in “Primary Helath of Chuang-tzu” where the fable, “Dismemberment of Ox by Paodin” came from. Then he led students to review this fable, and elaborated Chuang-tzu’s life wisdom. He pointed out the three phases of “Dismemberment of Ox by Paodin”. At the beginning, Paodin only saw a whole ox; three years later, he cannot see a whole ox but each part of it; later on, he can feel how to dismember the ox without seeing. Three phases symbolizes three levels of life. How can a knife stay new after 19-year’s dismemberment work? It is a similar question that how a people’s life can stay healthy after we faced continuous difficulties and loosed structures and systems. “Dismemberment of Ox by Paodin” just answered this question. This fable not only told us how we can stay healthy, but also taught us how we can live an easy life through the “world fence” consists of contradiction and conflicts. That is to open up some space in areas had no space originally. Professor Chen applied profound knowledge and abundant examples to interpret the fable story and Chuang-tzu’s wisdom about life, which manifested the charm of philosophy.
When entering the Q&A section, students asked questions actively and Professor Chen answered them patiently. His intelligent understanding benefited students very much.
This lecture was also one of Shanghai “Fresher of Social and Science Entering Higher Institutes” tour lectures. Before the lecture started, Mr. Zhang Yiguo, head of Publicity Department, communicated with Professor Chen Bin.
Mr. Chen Bin is professor of Department of Philosophy and doctoral tutor at East China Normal University, and vice president of Simian Humanity Higher Research Institute. He was elected into New Century Excellent Talent Supporting Plan by Ministry of Education, Shanghai Shuguang Scholar Plan, Shanghai Pujiang Talent Plan, and Shanghai Fresher of Social and Science. He also took the position of member of the 11th and 12th Shanghai CPPC, member of 11th China Youth Federation and member of 11th Shanghai Youth Federation.
Author: Zhang Yaodan Photo: Wang Bin