LIU Peng (born 1979, Shandong Province) graduated with a degree in philosophy from Nanjing University and subsequently obtained a master’s degree and a PhD in the Philosophy of Science and Technology from the same institution. He has spent one year as a visiting scholar at Sciences Po de Paris with Professor Bruno Latour, as well as three months at Warwick University with Professor Steve Fuller. Currently, he serves as a professor at the School of Philosophy at Nanjing University, where he also holds the position of deputy dean.
His research initially focused on the thoughts, especial Philosophy of Science and Technology, of Bruno Latour with more than 20 papers published in this field. And then, while retracing Latour’s philosophical background, he also developed an interest in French epistemology, including the works of Gaston Bachelard and Georges Canguilhem. By Comparing Latour’s philosophy with, using a general term, STS(Science and Technology Studies), the philosophical implications of STS also occupied a key place in his thinking, especially on the one hand to locate STS in the century-long history of HPS (History and Philosophy of Science) and philosophy of technology, on the other hand, to develop an emerging field called Philosophy of Science in Practice with some colleagues from other universities.
In recent years, his interests have gradually expanded to encompass the Ethics of Science and Technology. This can be viewed as an extension of his exploration into the artifacts from the perspectives of ethics, politics, sociology, etc. within STS. His research in this field primarily focuses on three areas: the philosophical interpretation of ethical issues arising in these domains, practical studies concerning ethical governance in scientific practices, and historical analyses of ethical norms associated with science and technology.
He is the Chinese translator of Bruno Latour’s books We Have Never Been Modern and Pandora’s Hope, and Gerald Holton’s book Einstein: History and Other Passions.
He offers several courses for undergraduates including two ones for students majoring in philosophy and six ones for non philosophy student, and five courses for graduates students.
He welcomes applications for his PhD program from students who possess exceptional philosophical thinking skills and demonstrate the capability to engage in interdisciplinary research at the intersection of science, technology, and society.
