Department of Philosophy of Art

The Department of Philosophy of Art at the School of Philosophy, Fudan University, was officially established in January 2020. It is the first department in China dedicated to the academic field of the philosophy of art. The department is chaired by Professor Shen Yubing (Shen Jianping) and currently has 9 faculty members, including 3 professors, 4 associate professors/young researchers, and 2 assistant researchers.

Relying on the comprehensive strength of Fudan's first-tier discipline in philosophy, the department promotes deep philosophical reflection on art, constructive critique, theoretical development, and strategic dissemination. It aims to strengthen the foundation of aesthetics, foster interdisciplinary theoretical innovation in the philosophy of art, and cultivate talent in art theory, thereby laying the groundwork for advancing the field of philosophy and theory of art in China.

The department has already established collaborative partnerships with institutions such as the Power Station of Art (PSA), Fosun Foundation, OCAT, the World Expo Museum, West Bund Museum, UCCA Center for Contemporary Art, Sanlian Zhongdu, and the Sui Jianguo Foundation.

Classical Chinese Studies

Department of Religious Studies

Distinctive Features

The Department of Religious Studies at the School of Philosophy, Fudan University, holds a leading position in China. It is known for its well-balanced faculty structure, comprehensive disciplinary coverage, and a complete curriculum system. It offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees and hosts four affiliated research institutes.

Currently, the department has 9 full-time faculty members, including 4 doctoral advisors and 4 master's advisors. According to the 2019 QS World University Rankings by Subject (Theology, Divinity & Religious Studies), Fudan's Religious Studies ranked 1st in Asia and 33rd globally.

Teaching and Research

The department emphasizes the development of humanistic education through reflective thinking, theoretical analysis, and critical reasoning. It offers various learning formats, including lectures, seminars, and close readings of classic texts, to help students develop strong analytical and problem-solving skills within a rich academic atmosphere.

The department also actively expands international cooperation, including a 2+2 joint program with the University of Birmingham in the UK.

Department of Philosophy of Science and Logic

The rapid development of science and technology—such as AI, biochemistry, and quantum technologies—has deeply impacted human society and the future of humanity, raising new social, economic, ethical, and cognitive questions. These urgent issues call for philosophical reflection and critique.

Internationally, the field of philosophy is increasingly embracing interdisciplinary research grounded in philosophy of science and logic, focusing on cognition, intelligence, biological evolution, social development, and the logical foundations of mathematics. Philosophy of science and logic have become essential academic disciplines at leading universities worldwide.

Fudan University established its Department of Philosophy of Science and Logic in November 2018, with Professor Zhang Zhilin serving as department head. The department emerged from a merger of strong research groups in philosophy of science and logic at the university and aligns with global trends in the evolution of philosophical disciplines.

In response to the challenge of redefining the relationship between science, technology, and society in the 21st century, the department promotes a multi- and cross-disciplinary research initiative called Philosophy + Science (e.g., Philosophy + Mathematics, Philosophy + Physics, Philosophy + Biology, Philosophy + AI, Philosophy + Technology). This model aims to reshape traditional modes of research and education in philosophy of science.

Looking ahead, the department will focus on:

·         The philosophical foundations and ethical reflections on cutting-edge scientific and technological issues

·         Leveraging interdisciplinary strengths to integrate with the Center for Science, Technology and Society, the Center for Philosophy and Science of Intelligence, and other natural science institutes

·         Advancing theoretical and practical research in philosophy of science, and

·         Leading work on the philosophy of cognition and intelligence

Department of Philosophy