On June 6, 2021, Russ Shafer-Landau, Professor of Philosophy Department at the University of Wisconsin Madison, USA, was invited to give the lecture "The Structure of Philosophical Inquiry" as the 30th International Demonstration Base Academic Lecture to teachers and students of the School of Philosophy and Sociology, Jilin University through the Zoom platform.
In this lecture, Professor Landau taught his cooperation with John bengson and Terence Cuneo on philosophical methodology: in the first part, Professor Landau introduced what is the structure of intellectual inquiry, that is, data collection and its theorization; In the second part, Professor presents the ultimate goal and its importance of philosophical question, that is, “to reach the point at which there is no more work to be done”, and to make the theory highly accurate and illuminating; In the third part, Professor Landau explained in detail the meaning of philosophical data, that is, to remain neutral, to be related to a given topic, and to establish a reflection on existing theories; In the fourth part, Professor Landau focused on whether there is a sound method of philosophical theorization and its possible character, and put forward a "Tri-Level Method": “Level 1: it can accommodate and explain data; Level 2: are themselves substantiated and integrated; Level 3: possess specific theoretical virtues.
During the Q&A, teachers and students spoke energetically and raised questions such as the difference between philosophical data and experience. Professor Landau also answered questions enthusiastically and patiently and gave great encouragement. This lecture has provided students with a methodological perspective of philosophy learning and research and broadened their horizons.
