“Chance, happiness, anthropology, and meanings of life” with Gordon Mathews 麥高登：人生的偶然與意義

In today’s episode of the CUHK Anthropology podcast, we speak with Gordon Mathews, a longtime professor in the Department in an interview covering a wide range of topics. We begin by discussing how he became an anthropologist, his experiences and connection to Japan, the accidental nature of life, and how he ended up in Hong Kong. The discussion then turns to his research interests, happiness in life, the CUHK Anthropology Department and its students, the importance of teaching students to appreciate multiple points of view, and his connection to Chungking Mansions as well as his friendships with members of the asylum-seeking population. The interview concludes with his thoughts about what anthropology can offer us. （This episode is conducted in English.） 本集節目，我們與香港中文大學人類學系教授、前系主任Gordon Mathews進行訪談，討論的話題十分廣泛：從他如何成為一個人類學家、他在日本的生活經驗、生活的偶然性，到他如何落戶香港，以及在人類學系的經歷。多年來，Gordon持續教導學生欣賞多元觀點的重要性。我們也聊到他與重慶大廈的關係，以及與尋求庇護者建立的友誼。最後，他分享了他對於人類學的社會貢獻的看法。 （本集訪問以英語進行。） 00’47 How anthropology became a part of Gordon’s life | 人類學如何「意外地」進入Gordon的生命 11'04 Diverse research interests | 不限於單一研究題目 15'46 On meanings of life and happiness | 關於人生的意義與快樂 21'21 Teaching in the Anthropology Department | 人類學系中的教學生涯 28’13 Academic freedom and teaching critical thinking | 學術自由與教授批判思維 34’37 Connection to asylum-seekers and memorable experience in the field| 與尋求庇護者的互動及在田野的難忘經歷 46’34 What anthropology and ethnography can offer the world | 人類學與田野研究對社會的貢獻