During my time in East Asian Studies Ph.D. program at Princeton University, I explored topics in moral and politico-legal philosophy embedded in neo-Confucianism (i.e., Confucianism from Song, Ming, early Qing, and Joseon dynasties). I have been fascinated by neo-Confucian discourses because they strive to improve social, political, and legal while delving into moral metaphysics and epistemology from an individual agent’s perspective.
I passed the General Examination in October 2022 (major field: neo-Confucian philosophy, minor fields: legal philosophy and Chinese politics). In addition, my academic work on Yulgok Yi I’s moral metaphysics, epistemology, and political philosophy was published in the Journal of Confucian Philosophy and Culture for the February 2023 issue.
Following several administrative incidents within the department, however, I voluntarily left the department. I aspired to become a thinker-practitioner and find a community that truly makes a difference. For me, that was to join the Army and Be All I Can Be. Nonetheless, as I have deeply been in love with philosophy and worked with analytic philosophers as a Ph.D. student, I plan to pursue philosophy in the future in and out of the academic setting. Specifically, I hope to incorporate (meta-)ethics and philosophy of action into the daily practice of my profession. For example, many people think that moral naturalism and individual’s agency in determining moral good are not compatible, which I disagree. Will my military experience confirm or debunk my belief? Can I develop my idea further with the help of this setting?
Before coming to Princeton, I got a B.A. summa cum laude at Tufts University, majoring in International Literary and Visual Studies (literary theory and East Asian literature-focus) and Philosophy. I also took Confucianism-related seminars and courses in China and Korea, so I am well-versed in critical theory / continental philosophy, analytic philosophy, and (neo-)Confucian philosophy.
Shyun J. Ahn 安 丁 秀賢 