My project seeks to inquire about the relation between Chinese philosophy and society examining how a variety of individuals responded to the COVID-19 pandemic and whether or not these behavioral patterns are described by existing philosophies. Using the examinations of traditional and contemporary philosophies and interviews with people of various socioeconomic backgrounds, the inquiry will uncover the hidden ethical connections between different interviewees’ behaviors and judge to what extent the philosophies are still applicable. Ultimately, this project will create an online archive, documenting both first-hand accounts of China’s ongoing history of Covid and the analysis uncovering if there is a foundational ideological throughline for Chinese people from different backgrounds.

Mentor: Dr. Li Wang