友谊将正在瓦解的社会联结——听一个哲学家给你讲述中国的变化

Tradition is built on the family structure. When the average families are becoming smaller, attitudes and practice towards tradition have been changing in China. Professor Ole Doering is a German philosopher and Sinologist, specializing in culture and ethics. He has taught at several universities and conducted research across Asia, and has received honorable appointments from several Chinese Research Centers and Universities. Last week, Mercator Salon invited him to a forum discussion on tradition and innovation, comparing the social development between Germany and China. Professor Doering points out when the families become smaller, and society is disintegrating, communities should be strengthened. Support may come from the solidarity of the whole society or from the friendship between people. Trust, respect and tolerance should be emphasized when building a new form of friendship that connects people. But can friendship really work, and how to encourage the Chinese to rethink in innovating its tradition? Voices From Other Lands talked to Ole Doering right after the forum discussion at UCCA on a Saturday afternoon.