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School of Chinese Scholar Seminar

Methodological Challenges in Reconstructing Confucian Humility

Amidst Modern and Traditional Elements

Abstract:

This talk focuses on the hermeneutic methodology needed to reconstruct the concept of Confucian humility as presented in classical texts. Often misunderstood or conflated with modern notions such as modesty-bias or self-denial, Confucian humility is reinterpreted here as a relational practice that promotes respect and harmony within relationships. The approach integrates interdisciplinary research and comparative philosophy to disentangle the layered preconceptions shaped by contemporary perspectives. By critically examining biases from social psychology and Western philosophical traditions, this method offers a more authentic framework for understanding Confucian humility, highlighting its enduring significance in modern ethical and relational contexts.

About the Speaker:

Doil Kim is an Associate Professor at Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU), South Korea, where he directs the Institute of Confucian Philosophy and Culture, leads the Institute Program in the Humanities & Social Sciences (supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea, https://swb.skku.edu/ccecc-en/index.do), and heads the Brain Korea 21 Four program (backed by the Ministry of Education, Korea). He holds a Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of Toronto, where his dissertation focused on Xunzi’s ethical thought. Dr. Kim serves as the editor of the Journal of Confucian Philosophy and Culture, a Scopus and ESCI-indexed international journal (https://jcpc.skku.edu/). He is completing a manuscript titled The Art of Seeing Beyond Oneself: Rethinking Humility from the Perspective of Confucian Philosophy, expected to be published in 2025.