Prof. Larry Temkin, distinguished ethicist from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, gave a lecture titled “Being Good in a World of Need” for Jilin University’s (JLU) Dingxin Lecture Series on May 22. President ZHANG Xi presented him with a commemorative plaque.

Temkin discussed challenges in global aid, highlighting risks like unintended consequences of employing local talent, loss of local autonomy due to foreign influence, and weakened government legitimacy. He stressed that well-intentioned aid can sometimes worsen outcomes, citing the Goma crisis as an example.

The lecture sparked lively discussion. Professor BAI Gang from JLU’s School of Philosophy and Sociology praised Temkin’s ongoing support for collaboration on philosophy between Rutgers and JLU.

Hosted by JLU Association for Science and Technology, and co-organized by the Office of Humanities and Social Sciences Research, as well as School of Philosophy and Sociology, the event drew over 100 faculty and students.