On the afternoon of July 7, the “Academic Seminar on Life Values and Celebration of the 80th Birthday of Professor Li Deshun,” organized by the School of Humanities, China University of Political Science and Law (CUPL), was held at the Haidian Campus. Over a hundred experts and scholars from various institutions, including the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Peking University, Renmin University of China, Shanghai University, Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, Northwest University of Political Science and Law, Tianjin People's Procuratorate, and our university, attended the symposium. Hu Ming, CUPL Council Chair, attended and delivered a speech. The meeting was chaired by Zhao Xiaohua, Dean of the School of Humanities.
(Speech by Hu Ming, Photo credit to: Li Zefeng)
Hu Ming extended congratulations to Prof. Li Deshun on behalf of the university, expressing gratitude for his contributions to the university's development. He highlighted that since the 1980s, Prof. Li Deshun has been engaged in the research of value philosophy, profoundly interpreting the core values of “people-centered philosophy,” and greatly advancing the development of Marxist philosophy and other fields in China. Prof. Li Deshun has also actively contributed to the disciplinary construction and development of the School of Humanities, School of Law, School of Marxism, and other schools at the university. Hu Ming expressed his hope that young faculty and students would learn from Prof. Li in their academic and personal pursuits, striving to contribute to the university's excellence and high-quality development.
(Academic Seminar on Life Values and Celebration of the 80th Birthday of Professor Li Deshun, Photo credit to: Li Zefeng)
Prof. Sun Weiping, Vice President of the Chinese Dialectical Materialism Research Association and President of the Professional Committee of Value Philosophy, as well as a specially-appointed professor at Shanghai University, remarked that Prof. Li Deshun is a pivotal figure and pioneer in Chinese value philosophy. He holds a significant position in the development of Chinese value philosophy.
Zhou Dan, Vice Director of the Institute of Philosophy at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, expressed that Prof. Li Deshun pioneered cultural philosophy research at the Academy, created the academic mechanisms of value theory, and laid a solid foundation for the prosperity of Chinese cultural philosophy and value philosophy.
Zang Fengyu, Dean of the School of Philosophy at Renmin University of China, believes that Prof. Li Deshun, as an outstanding Marxist scholar, has consistently pursued truth from historical specifics. He has set a model for disciplinary construction, demonstrating profound academic knowledge and a rigorous scholarly attitude.
Huang Kaifeng, Director of the Institute of Chinese Marxism at the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, mentioned that Prof. Li Deshun's thinking is not only reflected in his profound academic works but also ingeniously integrated into poetry, forming a unique new theory of “Three Realms.” This contribution provides profound insights and aesthetic enjoyment.
Yang Xuegong, President of the Beijing Philosophical Society and a professor at Peking University, shared his valuable experience studying under Professor Li Deshun. He highlighted Prof. Li's pioneering philosophical courses and his remarkable achievements in the field of value theory, which have enriched the academic perspectives of students and set dual benchmarks for academic research and education, inspiring future scholars.
(Academic Seminar on Life Values and Celebration of the 80th Birthday of Professor Li Deshun, Photo credit to: Li Zefeng)
Our former Vice President, Zhang Baosheng, recounted the scene when Prof. Li Deshun was invited to our university, praising his outstanding contributions to epistemology, value theory, and his proactive promotion of the discipline of legal culture. Professor Shu Guoying from the Law School, Professor Li Kailin from the School of Humanities, Professor Ma Ai from the School of Sociology, and Shi Changzheng from the Third Procuratorial Department of Tianjin People's Procuratorate attended the event. Representing Li Qirui, Zhao Fukejie, and Liu Jintian from Northwest University of Political Science and Law, Wang Jinxia conveyed the sincerest respect and wishes to Prof. Li Deshun.
Our former Vice Council Chair, Gao Huanyue, and Yang Jun, Secretary of the Party branch of the School of Humanities, presented flowers on behalf of the university and the school respectively to Prof. Li Deshun, expressing profound respect and best wishes. Representatives of doctoral students from the School of Humanities collectively recited selected poems from Prof. Li Deshun's poetry collection. Representing young teachers, He Mengye from the School of Humanities played a solo on the Erhu, performing Racing Horses as a birthday tribute to Prof. Li Deshun.
(Speech by Li Deshun, Photo credit to: Li Zefeng)
At the end of the event, Prof. Li Deshun delivered a heartfelt thank-you speech. He fondly recalled the wonderful eighteen years he spent at CUPL. As he steps into his eighties, Prof. Li expressed his commitment to nurturing more academic talents at CUPL, aiming to cultivate more “masters” and “strong performers.” He emphasized that educational philosophy should encourage students not only to focus on books and classes but also to engage with society and the world, honing their skills through practical experience. Regarding the value of life, he advocated for balancing personal fulfillment with social contribution, unifying these pursuits as a life goal. Prof. Li also encouraged maintaining an attitude of consistency between knowledge and action, and sincerity in both thought and speech. He stressed the importance of believing in the truth, goodness, and beauty of life. Facing challenges with kindness and integrity, setting personal goals, and persevering with determination are essential, he affirmed.
