'East Asian philosophy alternative to challenge modernity'
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Michael Puett, professor of Chinese history at Harvard University, speaks at the Asan Institute of Policy Studies in Seoul, Thursday. / Korea Times photo by Yoon Sung-won
By Huh Yoon-jin
A renowned philosopher is advocating East Asian philosophy as an alternative to challenge perceptions of “modernity” that are based solely on Western thinking.
“A lot of these (East Asian philosophy) ideas can be incredibly productive and powerful for visions of human flourishing,” said Michael Puett, 49, in an interview with The Korea Times.
Puett, who is a professor of Chinese History at Harvard University, was in Seoul at the invitation of Kyung Hee University.
He delivered a lecture on “The Rise of China and Confucianism” hosted by the Asan Institute of Policy Studies on July 18.
When he began studying East Asian philosophy, he realized that the traditional narrative on the beginning of modernity was fundamentally wrong.
Puett claimed errors were made due to the history of modernity that exclusively looks at European philosophy and history.
He also regarded East Asian philosophy as “approved thoughts.”
“They’re approved to be incredibly powerful for visions of how to build institutions that can be very supportive of human flourishing and extremely supportive of powerful forms of governance,” he said.
He cited East Asia’s “meritocratic bureaucracy” as the most effective form of governance, which has its goal in “divorcing political power from wealth.”
He also highlighted the importance of producing leaders to sustain this ideal form of governance. He claimed that the current generation must adopt education, based on self-cultivation and self-training to become a better person.
He believes that reclaiming the vitality of East Asian philosophy will play a key role to “encourage the young generation to think big.”
He said the “think big” process could develop. “Anyone can build upon any ideas,” he said with regards to the sensitivity of Koreans on the idea East Asian philosophy, in particular considering Chinese Confucianism.
“Now we can really start building a cosmopolitan world in which we can join upon great values all over the world, including those East Asian thoughts, and bring them together, and come up with power solutions in problematic areas.”
Concluding his remarks to the next generation, Puett advised, “Try to be open-minded, rethink everything, from philosophy to world history, and be ready to question every single thing that you are being taught now, and most importantly, become the parts of the crucial generation that can play a role in the world to come"