The philosopher Byung-Chh (Seoul, 1959) has been awarded the Princess award of Asturias of Communication and Humanities 2025 “for its brilliance to interpret the challenges of technological society.” Born in the South Korean capital writes in German and his thinking is characterized by the Criticism of capitalismtechnology, hyperproductivity and Transparency Society.
His work reveals “an extraordinary capacity to Communicate in a precise and direct way new ideas in which philosophical traditions of the East and West are collected, “according to the jury.
Han analysis is “extremely fertile and provides explanations about issues such as the dehumanization, digitalization and isolation of people. His intercultural gaze sheds light on complex phenomena of the contemporary world and has found a wide echo among public of various generations, “adds the statement.
Philosopher and theologian
It is the first award that is failure this year In Oviedo, after postponing the arts, whose jury was going to meet last Monday, April 28 for the blackout. They have happens to the cartoonist and filmmaker Marjane Satrapi, awarded in 2024.
Essayist, Catholic and disseminating theologian specializes in cultural studies and is a professor of the Berlin Arts University in which he directs the General Study Program.
He arrived in Germany with 22 years without knowing the language or having read almost anything of philosophy, his first intention was to study literature, but he went to philosophy because “To study Hegel the speed is not important. Just be able to read one page a day. “
Tiredness Society
PhD By the University of Freiburg with a thesis on Martin Heidegger he has taught classes at the University of Basel and also in Karlsruhe.
Author of More than thirty booksHan is a supervantant thinker who has created neologism Shanzhai (It could be translated as a pirate copy) in which the deconstruction explores in the current practices of Chinese capitalism.
Has also coined the concepts of Transparency Society (Transparency society) y Tiredness Society (Fatigue), A book translated into a dozen languages and that the director Isabella Gresser converted in 2015 the documentary The Society of Tiredness: Byung-Chul Han in Seoul and Berlin.
Denounces transparency
They have denounced the transparency as hegemonic cultural norm of the neoliberal market. In his opinion, the compulsion by voluntarily disturbed all kinds of personal information Raya in the pornographic and corners other social values such as shame and confidentiality.
In your essay Infocracythe thinker reflects on digitalization and democracy crisis. In his opinion, the data tsunami has deployed destructive and deforming forces that cause a Structural change of the public sphere In the digital world that affects our domination and our decisions.
To be consistent with their ideas, there have been little in radio and television interviews and does not usually disseminate biographical or personal details. As a form of rebellion against digital capitalism, it does not have smartphonedoes not do tourism, just listen to analog music, does not treat your students as clients and Ded time to cultivate your garden. In his work Loa to Earth. A trip to the garden Reflect on the connection with the land and gardening as a way towards meditation.
They have considered that we live in the Age of neuronal disorders (Depression, chronic fatigue syndrome, attention deficit, hyperactivity …) caused by excess positivity in a society that has abandoned reflection and does not value individuality. Domidden by narcissism and sick of loss of desire, he believes that, in the technological era, we are losing the ability to relate to others.
The philosopher insists on the need for regain the ability to say nobecause not everything is possible, not everything can be done and you should not even try.
In the coming weeks the Princess of Asturias Awards will be failed corresponding to Letters, Social Sciences, Arts, Sports, Concord, Scientific Research and Technical and International Cooperation.
