BEIJING, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) -- Academics from across the world have called for drawing inspiration from oriental wisdom to build a community of shared future for humanity and develop a more just, inclusive and prosperous society.
The remarks were made at the ongoing 24th World Congress of Philosophy held in Beijing from Aug. 13 to 20. Oriental wisdom is known for advocating kindness and unity.
Sally J. Scholz, a professor with the Villanova University of United States, hailed China's proposal to build a community with a shared future for humanity.
"Common interests rather than the interests of one party should be highlighted in global cooperation and unity," Scholz said. "Global cooperation and coordination are needed to deal with global issues."
"The United Nations and sovereign states are important actors in the process while regional organizations, non-governmental organizations and communities also bear due responsibilities."
Mogobe Ramose, a professor with the University of South Africa, said that humanity should share the output of the Earth, adding that mutual love instead of egoism and exclusiveness was needed in the context of globalization.
Comparing the concepts of "ren" (benevolence) in Chinese Confucianism, with "ubuntu," literally "I am because we are," Ramose said that African humanist philosophy focused on community. He suggested the two concepts should be understood as "philosophiae amoris" (philosophies of love).
"The philosophical implications of these concepts are varied but share the common obligation to seek the way of truth in the complexity of life as a wholeness," he said. "Truth here should be understood as a complex lived practical experience of love in search of justice and peace with regard to individuals."
The 24th World Congress of Philosophy, co-organized by the International Federation of Philosophical Societies and Peking University, explores and deliberates themes including spirituality, nature, reason, art, love and community.
