By Tiera Carlock

(Oct. 14, 2015) — The University of Kentucky Confucius Institute will present a lecture on the historical development and manifestations of [the notion of] "yinyang" and its origins in Chinese thought and culture by Robin R. Wang as a part of its Distinguished Scholar Lecture Series. The free public lecture, titled "Yinyang: The Way of Ways," is from 2:30-4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, in the Patterson Office Tower 18th Floor, West-End Lobby, with a reception to follow.

Wang, philosophy professor and director of the Asian and Pacific Studies Program at Loyola Marymount University, specializes in Chinese philosophy, comparative philosophy and ethics. She received her bachelor's degree from Peking University in China, two master's degrees from Peking University and the University of Notre Dame, and her doctoral degree from the University of Wales, all in philosophy. She is also president of the Society for Asian and Comparative Philosophy.

Since 2003, Wang has published essays in many academic journals, authored "Yinyang: The Way of Heaven and Earth in Chinese Thought and Culture" (Cambridge University Press, 2012) and is the editor of "Chinese Philosophy in an Era of Globalization" (State University of New York Press, 2004) and "Images of Women in Chinese Thought and Culture: Writings from the Pre-Qin Period to the Song Dynasty" (Hackett Publishing Company, 2003). Wang has given presentations worldwide and has been a consultant to health care professionals, law firms, museums, and other institutions.

It is this scholarly work that makes Natalie Nenadic, assistant professor of philosophy, believe Wang is an ideal choice for the UK Confucius Institute Distinguished Scholar Lecture Series. "Professor Wang’s research has a distinctive way of building bridges between Chinese philosophy and a wider philosophical and interdisciplinary audience. She also brings feminist awareness to this ancient tradition and taps ways that this tradition can contribute to feminism."

A gateway for Chinese language, culture and art to the people of Kentucky, UK Confucius Institute provides leadership, support and coordination for Chinese language and programs in K-12 schools as well as on UK's campus; assists and facilitates establishing and maintaining faculty and student exchanges between UK colleges and Chinese universities; conducts Chinese language and cultural exchange; and promotes education about China on campus, across the Bluegrass region, and throughout the Commonwealth.