Confucianism Rocks the Future: From Ancient Wisdom to AI Ethics ✨
Imagine blending philosophy from over 2,000 years ago with today's cutting-edge tech! That's exactly what's buzzing at the Nishan Forum on World Civilizations in east China's Shandong Province, where Confucianism is making a major comeback. 🌟
Held annually in Confucius's birthplace, this forum is like a melting pot of ideas, bringing together international scholars and officials eager to chat about building harmonious societies through diverse cultural values.
This year's gathering wrapped up on Thursday, and participants are leaving with some pretty cool insights. The consensus? Confucianism isn't just ancient history—it's super relevant to modern social topics, from AI ethics to global sports!
Confucianism Meets AI 🤖❤️
In our tech-driven world, who would've thought that Confucian ideas could guide artificial intelligence? Wen Haiming, deputy director of the Nishan World Center for Confucian Studies, called for the \"Confucianization of AI.\" He believes that infusing AI with \"shan\" (kindness) can steer the digital realm towards a more compassionate future.
Backing him up, Professor Liu Lili from the Party School of the Communist Party of China Central Committee emphasized \"ren,\" or benevolence. She highlighted how Confucianism promotes AI that benefits humanity while sticking to ethical standards.
\"Confucian thoughts can significantly influence the ethical development and deployment of AI technology by advocating a human-centered approach that prioritizes user safety, privacy, and overall well-being,\" Liu said.
Harmony in Diversity: Sports and Global Peace 🏅🌍
But wait, there's more! Confucianism also vibes with the Olympic spirit. Kung Tsui-chang, the 79th-generation descendant of Confucius, pointed out that the philosophy encourages physical activities like archery for personal growth. It's all about balancing physical and mental development—sounds like the ultimate wellness trend!
Sports, according to Kung, act as a bridge connecting different cultures and people, especially in our rapidly changing world. \"It enhances cooperation, friendship, cultural exchange, and global peace,\" he added.
A Call for Global Harmony 🌐✌️
International economist Jeffrey D. Sachs weighed in, saying that \"he er bu tong\" (harmony in diversity) perfectly captures today's interconnected world. As countries share both prosperity and challenges, he called for exploring a global ethical framework based on Confucian concepts.
The forum didn't just end with talks—it released a document stressing the importance of dialogue for a peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable future. It's a reminder that maybe, just maybe, ancient wisdom holds the keys to solving modern problems.
\"We need to be conscious of the past, and we need to understand that wisdom is not something we invent. We have the wisdom to gather from those who went before us,\" said Lene Rubinstein, a professor of ancient history from Royal Holloway, University of London.
Wrapping Up with a Bow 🎀
As the forum closes, one thing is clear: Confucianism is not just a chapter in history books. It's a living philosophy that's rocking the modern world, influencing everything from how we code our AI to how we play our sports. And who knows? Maybe looking back is the best way to move forward.
Reference(s):
Confucianism gets greater resonance as Nishan Forum draws to close
cgtn.com
