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Is Confucianism Still Relevant Today? Closing Reflections

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Confucianism and Modernization in East Asia

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Abstract

The relevance of Confucianism is examined in the context of both the past and the future. The existing debates on this issue mostly focus on the past. But Kim tries to find answers for the future. As for the future, the issue may be considered on two planes: civilization and society. In terms of the confusion and agonies suffered by humanity in general, moral-ethical decay and ecological degradation are the two most serious concerns, and Confucian moral ideals and cosmological ideas of natural ecology may provide alternative guidelines in these areas. On the societal level, the severe disturbance of social order and the breakdown of community are the two most essential problems. Perhaps one could resort to a system of thoughts based on Confucianism to provide guidance for their resolution.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea (Republic of)

    Kim Kyong-Dong

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  1. Kim Kyong-Dong
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Kyong-Dong, K. (2017). Is Confucianism Still Relevant Today? Closing Reflections. In: Confucianism and Modernization in East Asia. Palgrave Macmillan, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-3626-2_5

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