Registration to Departmental Seminar, Department of Philosophy (21 Sep 2026)

Title: Confucian Power as Responsibility
Speaker: Prof. Kim Sungmoon
Chair Professor, City University of Hong Kong

Date: 21 Sep 2026 (Mon)
Time: 4:30pm-6:30pm HK Time
Venue: Room 101, Fung King Hey Building
(Limited seats. Registrations will be handled on a first come, first served basis.)

Abstract:
Confucianism is commonly understood as a philosophical, ethical, and political tradition that centers around virtue. Little attention, however, has been paid to the idea of power in the Confucian context—what it means, how it should be exercised, and how it is to be conceptualized in contemporary philosophical terms. In this talk, I provide a comprehensive philosophical analysis of power in the Confucian political tradition by investigating how power was conceptualized from the perspective of virtue politics, generating two competing accounts of power (i.e., political power and moral power), and how the Confucians’ struggles with the ruler’s political power led them to transform moral power into an active exercise of responsibility that defies a simple causal reasoning. The account of Confucian power as responsibility can explain why ideas that lie at the heart of the Western political tradition, such as the separation of powers and constitutionalism (or republicanism), were given far less attention in Confucian political theory while inviting us to rethink meritorious government and active citizenship in the contemporary East Asian context that is increasingly troubled by structural injustice.

Delivered in English.
All are welcome.

Enquiries
Tel: 3943 7135
Email: philosophy@cuhk.edu.hk

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1. Provision of personal data is voluntary. The information collected will be used for the purposes of events and communication related to the Department and related responsible organization for this event. Only authorized personnel in the Department can access the information. The Department will promote and disseminate information such as talks, services and research information to you by post, email or phone. You have the right to make subsequent changes on your choice of receiving further promotional information by notifying us in written format. 2. Under the provisions of the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance, you can access and apply for amendment of the data in this form. Please contact our Institute staff if necessary. 3. The Institute will use the photos and videos taken from events in organizing and promotional purposes. If you do not agree with the relevant arrangements, you may submit your wishes and notify us in written format before the event. I have read, understood and agreed with the above terms and conditions.
Disclaimer The personal data collected will be used by Department of Philosophy (PHI) and authorised personnel for processing the captioned purposes in accordance with relevant provisions of the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance.