@article{ART003226508},
author={Yang, Ilmo},
title={The Transformation of Confucianism into Philosophy in Meiji Japan},
journal={PHILOSOPHY·THOUGHT·CULTURE},
issn={1975-1621},
year={2025},
number={48},
pages={27-54},
doi={10.33639/ptc.2025..48.002}
TY - JOUR
AU - Yang, Ilmo
TI - The Transformation of Confucianism into Philosophy in Meiji Japan
JO - PHILOSOPHY·THOUGHT·CULTURE
PY - 2025
VL - null
IS - 48
PB - Research Institute for East-West Thought
SP - 27
EP - 54
SN - 1975-1621
AB - This study analyzes contemporary discourses surrounding the search for the identity of Confucianism, which had formed the core of traditional educational systems, as it confronted the emergence of a modern educational system. Focusing on the early Meiji period, the paper explores the reception of Western philosophy, the modernization of Confucianism, and the formation of East Asian philosophy through the following three aspects: First, the University of Tokyo was established based on Western models, which forced Confucianism to redefine its purpose. As Japan's modernization was a state-centered reform, Confucianism was granted the status of an academic discipline under the assumption that it could contribute to cultivating the talent necessary for the formation of a nation-state. Second, in a modern system demanding scientific methodology, Confucianism had to transform into a modern academic discipline. In this context, Confucianism began to be associated with philosophy, while Western philosophy was translated into Confucian terminology. Third, intellectuals in East Asia viewed Western modernity as being built on the foundation of Western philosophy, and believed that East Asia needed its own philosophy for its modernization. This led to the creation of terms such as Indian philosophy, Chinese philosophy, Korean philosophy, Japanese philosophy, and the broader term “Eastern philosophy.”
KW - Confucianism;Philosophy;Eastern Philosophy;Meiji era;History of Scholarship
DO - 10.33639/ptc.2025..48.002
ER -
Yang, Ilmo. (2025). The Transformation of Confucianism into Philosophy in Meiji Japan. PHILOSOPHY·THOUGHT·CULTURE, 48, 27-54.
Yang, Ilmo. 2025, "The Transformation of Confucianism into Philosophy in Meiji Japan", PHILOSOPHY·THOUGHT·CULTURE, no.48, pp.27-54. Available from: doi:10.33639/ptc.2025..48.002
Yang, Ilmo "The Transformation of Confucianism into Philosophy in Meiji Japan" PHILOSOPHY·THOUGHT·CULTURE 48 pp.27-54 (2025) : 27.
Yang, Ilmo. The Transformation of Confucianism into Philosophy in Meiji Japan. 2025; 48 : 27-54. Available from: doi:10.33639/ptc.2025..48.002
Yang, Ilmo. "The Transformation of Confucianism into Philosophy in Meiji Japan" PHILOSOPHY·THOUGHT·CULTURE no.48(2025) : 27-54.doi: 10.33639/ptc.2025..48.002
Yang, Ilmo. The Transformation of Confucianism into Philosophy in Meiji Japan. PHILOSOPHY·THOUGHT·CULTURE, 48, 27-54. doi: 10.33639/ptc.2025..48.002
Yang, Ilmo. The Transformation of Confucianism into Philosophy in Meiji Japan. PHILOSOPHY·THOUGHT·CULTURE. 2025; 48 27-54. doi: 10.33639/ptc.2025..48.002
Yang, Ilmo. The Transformation of Confucianism into Philosophy in Meiji Japan. 2025; 48 : 27-54. Available from: doi:10.33639/ptc.2025..48.002
Yang, Ilmo. "The Transformation of Confucianism into Philosophy in Meiji Japan" PHILOSOPHY·THOUGHT·CULTURE no.48(2025) : 27-54.doi: 10.33639/ptc.2025..48.002
