On the afternoon of May 16, Professor Matthias Kettner from the Faculty of Humanities and Arts ofWitten Herdecke University had given an academic lecture named “Forms of Rationality” at X8210. It was hosted by executive vice dean Xiang Zhongmin.

Professor Matthias Kettner explained the “instrumentally rational” surrounding several questions like“the time our behavior is instrumentally rational” or“instrumentally rational structure” and so on.

Firstly Professor Matthias Kettner offered the definition of“instrumentally rational”, that means the most effective way we use to achieve the goal. He made some examples about interesting differences within rationality to show that the selections of rationality are either good or bad.

Then, professor Kettner introduced“instrumentally rational structure” from aspects of action, goal and manner. Although this way uses a low cost to reach an effective results, it is not applied to each occasion. For instance, if every individuals has their own goal and shows instrumental rationality, the teamwork could be influenced. Assistant professor Yang Shunli, doctor Cui Gang, Zhang Lv and graduate students from Graduate Institute of Philosophy and History attended the lecture and took a conversation with professor Kettner.

It was reported that two schools had a communications about general affairs. Vice dean Xiang Zhongmin had introduced the basic situations of School of Humanities to ProfessorMatthias Kettner. Both sides had discussed about international communications and academic research.