The inaugural World Conference of Classics convened in Beijing today, bringing together over 485 scholars from more than 30 countries and regions. This landmark event served as a global platform for sinologists to exchange insights on the profound influence of classical studies on the contemporary world.
Manolis Korres, a member of the Academy of Athens, emphasized the deep historical roots of classical studies and their ongoing relevance to modern academia and society. \"Socrates valued not only moral perfection but also the pursuit of truth through rational inquiry. Aristotle, building on 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 explained.
He further added, \"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, highlighted the significant historical and cultural importance of classical studies. He pointed out the indispensable role of ancient Chinese language and classics in understanding Chinese culture, noting that \"the linguistic expressions in works like the Mengzi, Zhuangzi, and Shiji have had a profound impact on modern Chinese language.\"
Martin Kern, Professor of Asian Studies at Princeton University, called for the creation of a mechanism to unite top scholars studying ancient civilizations and classical literature, facilitating the sharing of their scholarly achievements. \"Our academic research should be enriched by other civilizations, enabling us to develop a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the subject matter,\" Kern stated.
The conference provided a vibrant cross-cultural exchange platform for global sinologists to share and discuss their research and perspectives. Participants unanimously 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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