Summer school: Models of Dialectical Thought in Chinese and Asian Philosophy

Professor Jana S. Rošker (email: jana.rosker@ff.uni-lj.si)
Professor Téa Sernelj (email: tea.sernelj@ff.uni-lj.si)
Associate Professor Marko Ogrizek (email: marko.ogrizek@ff.uni-lj.si)
Assistant Maja Maria Kosec (email: MajaMaria.Kosec@ff.uni-lj.si)   

Location:  Assembly Hall, University of Ljubljana, Kongresni trg 12, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

Applications with a short CV and a motivation letter should be sent before May 15, 2026 to the main organizer, Professor Jana S. Rošker (email: jana.rosker@ff.uni-lj.si)

Registration will take place on the first day of the summer school, i.e. on Friday, June 20, at 7:30 AM in front of the lecture hall (Assembly Hall, University of Ljubljana, Kongresni trg 12, Ljubljana). During this on-site registration, you will receive a bag with all essential materials and your name tag.

The summer school is based on the premise that dialectical thinking is essential for deepening the conceptual understanding of dynamic processes in reality and for fostering the development of human societies. These two aspects of dialectical development, the conceptual and the social, will be addressed and discussed through the lens of transcultural contrastive analyses focusing on Asian, particularly East Asian and European models of dialectical development respectively. Our focus on the East Asian region is well-justified, as all lecturers have specialized knowledge in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean philosophies, along with expertise in comparative philosophy. 

Contrasting culturally, historically, and linguistically influenced streams of thought as distinct categories poses the risk of essentializing the underlying concepts of culture. To mitigate this, we distinguish and categorize these streams based on the theoretical paradigms rooted in their respective frameworks of reference. Within these paradigms, clear differences emerge between traditional European dialectical systems and traditional Asian models, particularly in their approaches to dynamic progression, movement and stillness, dichotomies and dialetheias, the interplay of oppositions and contradictions, identity and non-identity, unity and difference, change and continuity, and the functions of negation and tension. 

We will follow the presumption, according to which elements of Eurocentrism continue to shape transcultural dialogues on a global scale. This is largely due to the historical roots of globalization in the European model of modernization, which expanded worldwide through colonialism. This dominance was not only established through technological advancements and the knowledge systems that accompanied them, but also through the imposition of axiological norms, standards, and evaluation criteria. These Eurocentric values continue to dominate global intercultural exchanges, undermining true objectivity and perpetuating imbalances in evaluative frameworks. Although mostly operating at an unconscious level, these biases continue to exert significant influence, reinforcing inequities within philosophical and cultural interactions.

We aim to address the problems of traditional dialectical methods by engaging with critiques from both Western and Asian traditions, particularly those rooted in post-structuralism and Critical Theory in the West, and Chan Buddhist, Modern Confucian, and Kyoto School discourses in East Asia. Additionally, we will consider alternative models of Indian Buddhism in Chinese translation, given their profound influence on Sinicized Buddhism across East Asia. Building on these critiques, we aim to advance a constructive model of dialectical interaction through the examination of existing schemas, identifying and addressing inherent flaws, and integrating the strengths of these traditions to create a more robust and inclusive framework.

The summer school will build upon and extend the results of previous research work in these fields, and focus on the establishment and development of innovative approaches to transcultural comparative philosophy, especially under consideration of the recently developed method of post-comparative transcultural sublation. Dialectical in itself, this method facilitates the dynamic interplay and mutual evolution of philosophical concepts originating from distinct cultural traditions. Unlike traditional European dialectics, which is rooted in formal logic, the method of transcultural sublation is guided by the classical East Asian principle of correlative complementarity. 

Through this approach, we aim to establish a basis for an integrative model of transcultural dialectics that fosters a more nuanced and dynamic understanding across diverse cultural and philosophical contexts. Such an innovative model, in our view, holds great potential for enhancing transcultural dialogue and the global exchange of ideas and knowledge, thereby contributing effectively to the development of strategies for addressing global crises.

Professor Robin Wang, Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles
Professor Tzu-Chien Tho, University of Bristol
Professor David Bartosch, Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai
Professor Jana S. Rošker, University of Ljubljana
Professor Tamara Ditrich, University of Ljubljana

Timeline: 
Deadline for applications: May 15, 2026 
Communication of acceptance: May 30, 2026 

On Sunday, September 6, we will organize a joint excursion for all summer school participants to Koper, the main port city of the Slovenian coast. Detailed information about the activities will be provided in summer 2026.

Here are different transportation options from Ljubljana Airport to your accomodation:

There are different possibilities (shuttle bus, taxi, public bus, etc) to get from the Ljubljana airport to the hotel. You can explore them here. 

Uber is available through your app or this website.

1. Shuttle Bus:
   - 4 different providers (see the following link) who offer  flexible timings and can drop you off directly at your hotel. You can book tickets in advance online for better rates.
- Nomago Shuttle Service  (see this link)

2. Taxi: 
   - Location: Taxi stand outside the arrivals area
   - Cost: Approximately €40 to the city center. Prices can vary depending on the taxi company and time of day.
   - Travel Time: About 20-30 minutes to the city center, depending on traffic.
We recommend avoiding the taxis waiting in front of the airport, as they are often overpriced. Instead, consider pre-booking a ride at competitive rates to bypass the taxi line.
Here are some links: 
airport transfer
connecto

TAXI METRO
Online order: https://www.taximetro.si/en/order/ 
Tel.: 080 11 90

CITY-TAXI
Online order https://www.taxi-rondo.si/en/
Order per email: info@city-taxi.si
Telephone: 080 11 17

 WELCOME PICKUPS
Online order: welcome pickups 

3. Public Bus: (see the following link) 
   - Main provider: Ljubljana Public Transport - LPP
   - Route Number: 28
   - Schedule: Buses run hourly from the airport to the city center.
   - Cost: Around €4.10 per person.
   - Travel Time: Approximately 45 minutes to the central bus station.

4. Car Rental: (see the following link )
   - Providers: Several options including Avis, Europcar, and Hertz.
   - Location: Desks at the airport arrivals hall.
   - Details: This might be a cost-effective option if you plan to explore other areas of Slovenia.

5. Private Transfer: (see the following link)
   - Details: Can be booked online through various services like Viator or directly through hotel concierge services.
   - Advantages: Direct and private travel to your hotel with a fixed rate.

Please choose the option that best suits your schedule, budget, and comfort preferences.

Ljubljana offers a wide range of accommodation options to suit different budgets. However, September is still a peak month for tourism, so we strongly recommend making your reservations as early as possible to ensure a good selection of available options. 

For students without funding, free accommodation will be provided. Applications must be submitted by May 30, 2026.