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Participants of the 25th World Congress of Philosophy are listening to Prime Minister Han Seung-soo’s congratulatory speech on the opening day, Wednesday. A total of 2,600 philosophers from 104 different nations are participating in this congress titled ‘Rethinking Philosophy Today.’ / Yonhap |
By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter
The 22nd World Congress of Philosophy began Wednesday with high anticipation and expectations among prominent thinkers and philosophers from around the world.
``I'm very happy to be here. We are living in a more globalized world and the problem is the lack of dialogue. The main task for philosophers is to reflect on this question and try to give their ideas about it. How can we live together? How can we communicate with other countries?'' said Peter Kemp, the president of the International Federation of Philosophical Societies (FISP), at a press conference.
Around 3,000 renowned philosophers have gathered at Seoul National University and will share their thoughts at the congress, which will be held through Aug. 5.
First held in 1900, all of the previous congresses were held in Europe and the Americas. Korea is the first Asian nation to host the prominent event, which has been organized by FISP and the Korean Philosophical Association (KPA). Being the first in Asia, the Seoul event is also aimed to introduce Eastern philosophy to the West.
``I would like to stress that in the past, philosophy was equivalent to Western philosophy. There was no such thing as `Eastern philosophy' in the West. But now this event will be a stepping-stone in introducing Eastern philosophers to the world,'' said Lee Myung-hyun, the president of the Korea Organizing Committee.
Under the theme ``Rethinking Philosophy Today,'' the congress will present four plenary sessions each with different subjects and concepts, but all covering the ``rethinking'' of various aspects in society including democracy, aesthetics, science and history.
``One important crisis around the world would be gender equity. What can philosophy contribute in overcoming gender discrimination in the various fields of our everyday lives? The (congress) will focus and stress the importance of these issues as well,'' said Herta Nagl-Docekal, a professor from the Institute for Philosophy at the University of Vienna and a participant of the congress.
Lectures and different symposia will be also held throughout the event, with distinctive sessions such as ``Philosophy in Korea'' presented by Korean philosophers including Keel Hee-sung, Kim Yersu and Lee Kwang-sae.
``(The congress) has meaning that the map of world philosophy has become widened. I hope this will give us the chance to create a new paradigm in this subject,'' Samuel Lee, the president of KPA added.
sanghee@koreatimes.co.kr
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