Title: Moral Relativism

Time: Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2005, 4:30-6:00pm

Place: Rm. 2225, School of Education

Presenter: Lei Zhong

Working Language: Chinese

Lei Zhong is currently a doctoral student in the Department of Philosophy at U of M, with specialization in the area of Ethics and Political Philosophy. Prior to coming to UM, he obtained his B.A. in Economics from Renmin University, and M.A. in Philosophy from Peking University. Content of the colloquium: Moral relativism has been commonly regarded as the most promising theory to challenge the objectivity of morality, which asserts that there are no universally valid moral principles: all moral principle are valid relative to groups (e.g., cultures) or individuals. In contemporary times, moral relativism has already spread from philosophy to other areas and gained its popularity among the whole intellectual community. However, there is little consensus about what the notion "moral relativism" involves exactly. So, in this colloquium, Lei Zhong will clarify the concept, and explore whether there is a conceptual connection between moral relativism and the denial of moral objectivity, and, if any, what the connection is.

Title: Flying Forward: The Marketization Reforms of Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC)

Time: Thursday, Nov. 18, 2004, 4:30-6:00pm

Place: Rm. 2225, School of Education (Enter through the door close to the School of Social Work)

Presenter: Ruifeng Fang

Working Language: Chinese

Ruifeng Fang, as a Ford Foundation Fellow, is currently a master's student at Ford School of Public Policy, University of Michigan. Prior to coming to UM, he worked for 7 years as a legal counselor at Xi'an office of CAAC, China. Ruifeng Fang earned his Bachelor of Law at Peking University in 1997.

Content of the colloquium: Civil Aviation industry in China was ever regarded as one of the last forts of the planning economy. In recent two years, CAAC has started to transform the jurisdiction of the airlines and airports. It has also reformed the aviation administrative system, which has reshaped the framework of civil aviation industry. The presenter will depict the goals and the implementation of these reforms, and discuss the changes the reforms have brought about to the relations among the aviation units. In the end, he will talk about the adjustment of the CAAC's regulations and future prospects of the "open sky" policies.