The inaugural World Conference of Classics convened in Beijing today, bringing together over 485 scholars from more than 30 countries and regions. Serving as a global platform, the conference offered sinologists an opportunity to exchange insights on how classical studies influence the contemporary world.
Manolis Korres, a member of the Academy of Athens, emphasized the profound historical roots of classical studies and their relevance to modern academia and society. “Socrates valued not only moral perfection but also the pursuit of truth through rational inquiry,” he noted. “Aristotle, building upon Socrates’ foundation, delved into issues of moral development and human behavior within society and politics. Like Confucius, he grounded his principles in ethics and empirical evidence.”
Korres further highlighted the progression of classical thought: “Aristotle established a rigorous methodology that laid the groundwork for modern science. Soon after, Euclid formalized mathematical reasoning through the axiomatic method.”
Professor Hans van Ess, vice president of Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, spoke on the significant historical and cultural importance of classical studies. He underscored the indispensable role of ancient Chinese language and classics in understanding Chinese culture. “The linguistic expressions in works like the Mengzi, Zhuangzi, and Shiji have had a profound impact on modern Chinese language,” he said.
Martin Kern, Professor of Asian Studies at Princeton University, called for a mechanism to unite top scholars studying ancient civilizations and classical literature. “Our academic research should be enriched by other civilizations, enabling us to develop a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the subject matter,” he advocated.
The conference provides a cross-cultural exchange platform for global sinologists to share and discuss their research and perspectives. Participants agreed that classical studies are not merely a historical discipline but also a crucial key to understanding and addressing contemporary societal challenges.
Reference(s):
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