German Sinologist Jonathan: Why the World Still Needs to Study the Classics Today
World classical studies focus on diverse civilizations, expanding Chinese, European, Indian, and Arab traditions Jonathan discusses classical wisdom and reading in the AI era, helping you understand new possibilities for cross-civilizational exchange
In an exclusive interview with China News Service, former vice president of the University of Munich and director of the Institute of Sinology Ye Han said that world classics should not be confined to a single civilization, but should encompass multiple classical traditions, including those of China, Europe, India, as well as the Arab and Persian worlds, and that more detailed comparative studies should continue to be carried out.
He believes that the concepts of "Dao" and "Qi" in Chinese classical thought, as well as the yinyang philosophy of the I Ching, resonate strongly in European academic circles. This also shows that different civilizations can achieve more equal exchanges and mutual learning through new translations and a more accurate understanding of concepts.
Speaking about the practical significance of classical wisdom, Ye Han pointed out that reading the classics can train people to observe carefully, think independently, and remain alert to oversimplified conclusions; in the age of social media, this ability is especially important. As for artificial intelligence, he believes AI can assist with reading and translation, but cannot truly understand the classics; university education should place greater emphasis on critical thinking and the responsible use of tools.