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A: I think the biggest problem for Chinese students is the language barrier. There are
some students who have difficulty speaking fluently, especially at the very high level
required for discussing intellectual matters. If the students at Peking University really
want to study in the US, they should work hard on English.
Q: I was really surprised when I found in your resume that you also have a bachelor's
degree in piano performance. So why did you choose to obtain a PhD in philosophy
instead of one in music?
A: Well, that's a good question. I went to a school of music first. In my first year I took
a course in philosophy, and I found it very beautiful. For a while I did both music and
philosophy. But I had to decide between them when I completed my undergraduate
degrees. It was really difficult to decide, but in the end I chose philosophy because I
thought I would be in the long run more satisfied and happier as a philosophy
professor than as a professional musician. Most of the musicians that I knew were
teachers, they could not make a living by performing alone. In contrast, in the
academic world of philosophy, teaching and research are integrated, which really
make sense to me. I would rather be in a field where what I am doing for a living is
what I really care about. So that is the reason I chose philosophy. Music is still very
important to me, however, and my wife and I share a love for and knowledge of
music.
Q: That's fantastic! So does the music influence your philosophy thinking?
A: I think it does. But I have not published anything about it - it is a private
connection. I believe the topics that interest me in philosophy are similar to music in
some ways. For example, the ability to share language, I believe, is analogous to the
ability to sing the same song together.
Q: I know that this is your second trip to China. Are things different for you this time?
A: Well this time my wife came with me, so we can experience things together, and
can talk and share our thoughts about what we see. Obviously, on campus there are
new buildings. Also, during this visit I met more people and have had deeper
conversations. I feel more comfortable here this time than I did last time.
Q: Do you enjoy your time here at PKU and China? What is the most impressive
thing you've seen?
A: Yes, I am really enjoying my visit. The PKU campus is lovely, the people are
friendly, and the food is wonderful. We went to the Forbidden City, which is very
impressive. The architecture is so different from what we know, so beautiful and
harmonious.
Edited By : Gary Ebbs
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