Xiaoting Liu

School of Philosophy and the Social Sciences
Center for the Study of Science and Faith
Beijing Normal University

Project title:

A Project to Investigate the Relevance of Yin-Yang Thinking in Overcoming the Conflict between Science and Spirituality.

Abstract:

Chinese tradition, which emphasizes the interpenetration of opposites, and the importance of harmony and process, has the capacity to resolve problems in science and religion that have vexed dualistic Western thinking. Science and religion can mutually enrich each other, but only if researchers start from a perspective that truth lies in recognizing that seeming opposites are actually part of each other. Competing theories may each contain elements of truth. None contains the whole truth. Thus, there is much that the Chinese religious traditions have to offer in promoting dialogue between science and religion.

Short biography:

Prof. Xiaoting Liu is vice secretary-general of the Chinese Society for Dialectics of Nature and deputy editor-in-chief of Studies in Dialectics of Nature and Director of the Center of Science and Faith at the Chinese Society for Dialectics of Nature. In 2002, he was the Executive Director of the Center for Science and Humanities at Beijing Normal University (BNU). In 2001, he was the Vice-Dean of College of Philosophy and Sociology at BNU. Prior to that, at Harbin University, Professor Xiaoting Liu served as Director of the Research Department, Editor-in-chief of the University Journal and Director of the Institute of Education and Development. Prof Liu has published many books including A New Notion of Philosophy in Transformation (1996), Individual Epistemology (1995) and An Introduction to the Methodology of the Social Sciences (1994).