Sharing the lecture held on December 12, 2023.

 

“Is THAT what Confucius said?” 

Saving Confucius from Confucianism

SPEAKER: Prof. Werner Sasse

SUMMARY:
Almost 2000 years of influence, but contrary to what many people think, Korea is not at all a Confucian country (and never really was). Today some observers attribute the recent rapid economic development to Confucianism’s influence, and others blame its teachings for the breakdown of traditional society before Western influence. Both views are of course far too superficial.

There are Korean scholars and educators who try to revive Confucianism in the face of a perceived spiritual and moral lack of direction in contemporary Korean society. As my reaction as a Westerner to this trend, I will talk about Confucius’ influence in the history of Western philosophy as the basis for my views of Confucianism, then about universal ideas in the Confucian traditions, and finally about ways to re-read and re-interpret the “Selected Sayings” (a.k.a. Analects, Lunyu/Noneo) in a way suitable for the 21st century.

BIO:
1970-1975    studied Korean Studies, Chinese Literature, Generasl Linguistics, at Bochum University (Germany)
1975              Dr. phil. (Korean Studies)
1975-1988  assistant professor (Korean Studies at Bochum University / Germany)
1988-1992  full professor (founded Korean Studies Dept., Bochum University/Germany)
1992-2006  full professor (founded Korean Studies Dept., Hamburg University/Germany)
2007            guest professor, Cheonnam University (Gwangju / Korea)
2008-2011  chair professor, Hanyang University, Cultural Anthropology (Ansan / Korea)

1999-2003   president, Association of Korean Studies in Europe (AKSE)
1985              Wilhelm-Hollenberg-Prize for Outstanding Academic Achievement, (Ruhr-University Bochum/Germany)
2008             Dongsung Academic Prize, Seoul/Korea