Authenticity in Comparison

Authenticity in Comparison: The Case of Chinese Philosophy
SNSF-Research Project

Project Leader: Prof. Dr. Ralph Weber
Project Member: Zhenxu Xu

Funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation, the research project “Authenticity in Comparison” explores the possibility of comparing without making the objects of comparison unauthentic. To find answers, the researchers analyze sources from Western and Chinese Philosophy.

Authenticity is a key topic in Chinese philosophy. Participants of debates often claim to hold “authentic” philosophical positions or accuse their opponents of having lost their “authentic” views. The research project analyzes these debates and explores how they employ the term “authenticity,” which continues to be highly relevant in academic, intellectual, political, and cultural contexts. By looking at Western and Chinese sources, the researchers follow an original approach that breaks new ground in the field of philosophy.