ENN New Voices: Confucius and Contemporary Analytic Metaphysics: Interview with Jennifer Wang

In this episode, Jacinta Shrimpton speaks with Jennifer Wang, Associate Professor of Philosophy at Simon Fraser University, about her recent published work on the intersection between Confucian role ethics and contemporary analytic metaphysics. Professor Wang explains Confucius’s historical context, before distinguishing between his teachings and how they’re interpreted by scholars of classical Chinese philosophy today. She talks about Confucius’ resources for understanding personhood, and how the novel approach of engaging with his teachings within an analytic framework not only opens up new philosophical possibilities, but makes Confucius’ thought accessible for a modern audience. Professor Wang wraps up the episode by sharing available resources for getting into classical Chinese philosophy, and advice for researchers who are considering breaking new ground in philosophy.

To listen to this episode, please visit our podcast page.
 
Works mentioned in the episode:

Ivanhoe, Philip J., and Bryan W. Van Norden, eds. Readings in Classical Chinese Philosophy. 3rd ed. Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing, 2023.

Slingerland, Edward, trans. The Essential Analects: Selected Passages with Traditional Commentary. By Confucius. Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing, 2006.

Van Norden, Bryan W. Introduction to Classical Chinese Philosophy. Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing, 2011.

Wang, Jennifer. "The Metaphysics of Personhood in Confucian Role Ethics." Asian Journal of Philosophy 2, no. 2 (2023): article 64. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44204-023-00120-z

Websites mentioned in the episode:

American Philosophical Association. "Asian and Asian-American Philosophers and Philosophies." Accessed April 28, 2026. https://www.apaonline.org/members/group_content_view.asp?group=110430&id=380970#asian

Fraser, Chris. Chris Fraser: Chinese Philosophy. Accessed April 28, 2026. http://cjfraser.net/

Chinese Text Project. Edited by Donald Sturgeon. Accessed April 28, 2026. https://ctext.org/

Van Norden, Bryan W. Bryan W. Van Norden (personal website). Accessed April 28, 2026. http://www.bryanvannorden.com/