This volume contains the results of a joint symposium on "Man and Nature," co-sponsored by the International Society for Metaphysics and the Philosophy Department of Peking University and held in Beijing on July 25-27, 1987. The work is the fruit of the cooperation of philosophers of many nations: Japan, the Philippines, India, Belgium, Canada, the United States and China.

This symposium is the first which the Philosophy Department of Peking University has co-sponsored with scholars from other nations in recent years. The experience of this Symposium has proven that cooperation between philosophers of various countries in an exchange of scholarly concerns, insights and ideals is not only interesting and stimulating, but of great benefit to all participants in thinking creatively on crucial issues of our day.

The historical reality is that of a world becoming smaller and of communication between nations and peoples becoming ever closer. In these circumstances the shared problems which threaten the peace and even the existence of all peoples increase and intensify. Hence, it has become an urgent contemporary task for philosophers to develop a deep awareness of the problems to awaken reason and to think creatively on the toals and means for the protection of the peace and indeed of life. The promotion of peace and friendship between the peoples is then a holy and honorable duty of philosophers and other scholars, whether they be Marxists or liberals or conservatives, existential phenomenologists or analysts, Hindu, Confucian or Neo-thomist. The lofty aim of philosophy--along with other fields of academic work--is to promote the welfare and to deepen and enrich the happiness of mankind.

We would like to express our profound thanks to Professor George F. McLean for his enthusiastic work in developing this joint Symposium. We are very grateful to all the scholars from China and other lands, whose rich contributions and open and enlightened discussion constituted the success of the Symposium. Finally, we express our gratitude as well to the Administration of Peking University and to the State Commission of Education for their sponsorship and support.

Hang Nan-sheng Philosophy Department

Tang Yi-jie Peking University

Li Zhen Beijing, PRC

November, 1988