From March 7 to March 8, Seoul City University’s Department of Philosophy conducted an ‘International Workshop on East Asian Classical Philosophy’ in the Humanities Building. Spearheaded by Professor Lee Jong-hwan from Seoul City University, Professor Ikko Tanaka from Japan's Obirin University, and Professor Tianqin Ge from China's Southeast University, the event brought together 35 scholars who are engaged in the research of Western classical philosophy from East Asian countries such as Korea, Japan, China, and Singapore. The workshop featured presentations and discussions on innovative interpretations and research cases regarding seminal figures in Greek and Roman philosophy, such as Plato and Aristotle, showcasing significant contemporary research findings in the international academic arena.

In his welcoming speech, Professor Lee emphasized the significance of hosting such a workshop at their institution, describing it as a public institution serving a major global city like Seoul, dedicated to contributing to a broader community through research and education. He expressed pride in positioning the workshop on Western classical philosophy at their university, highlighting its meaningfulness amid traditionally Western-dominated philosophical discourses and academic events.

It is noteworthy that events like this, where East Asian scholars drive research and discussions on Western classical philosophy, are rare. The workshop, co-hosted and supported by the Philosophy Department at Seoul City University, the Center for Future Philosophy Studies, the Korean Society for Western Classical Philosophy, the Japanese Classical Philosophy Research Network, and the JSPS KAKENHI (Japan Society for the Promotion of Science), aims to strengthen academic ties and foster international exchanges among researchers, providing a platform for enhanced collaboration in the philosophy community.