Korean-German Philosopher Nabs prestigious Asturien-Preis
Recognition Conferred on Prominent Korean-German Philosopher in Asturias Awards Ceremony - Annual Recognition for Philosophers of Korean and German Descent in Asturias
German-Korean philosopher Byung-Chul Han scoops up the Princess of Asturias Award for Communication and Humanities 2025. This top-notch intellectual, hailed from the bustling city of Seoul, is known for crafting some of the most insightful critiques on modern society.
Born in 1959, Han traded Seoul's lively streets for the cool, cobblestone ones of Germany in his formative years. He earned his PhD in Philosophy from the University of Freiburg, following his studies in German Literature and Theology at the University of Munich. Han has become one of the prominent contemporary philosophers, with scholarly pursuits revolving around cultural theory, social philosophy, and contemporary society's psychological and social conditions.
The esteemed jury applauded Han for his thought-provoking work, which casts a spotlight on the inner workings of our exhausted society: performance pressure, self-optimization, digital control, and declining interpersonal relationships. He's become an international sensation with his books like "The Burnout Society" and "The Transparency Society".
The "Premios Princesa de Asturias"—commonly compared to the Nobel Prizes in Spain—grant laureates 50,000 euros and a replica of a statue by Joan Miró. This annual prize, held in Oviedo in October, celebrates those making remarkable contributions to various fields, including communication and humanities.
Known for his critical perspective on society and its burdens, Han delivered a surprising counterpoint in his latest work, "The Spirit of Hope" (2024). He champions a return to contemplation, empathy, and the courage to set limits—calling it the foundation for a new ethical orientation amid a world riddled with fear.
[1][2][3] Enrichment data suggests Han's multidimensional analyses address societal shifts in discipline to an "achievement society," economic and cultural phenomena associated with Chinese capitalism, and the devastating impact of technology and neoliberalism on human subjectivity and social life. Beyond his influential The Burnout Society, Han's thoughtful critiques delve into the "society of tiredness," the "society of transparency," and examine the mental health crises driven by the demand for constant positivity and achievement, culminating in widespread depression and attention disorders.
- Byung-Chul Han's employment in the field of philosophy began with his studies in German Literature and Theology at the University of Munich, followed by a PhD in Philosophy from the University of Freiburg.
- The jury's appreciation for Han's work is evident in the 2025 Princess of Asturias Award for Communication and Humanities that he received, in acknowledgement of his insightful critiques on modern society's psychological and social conditions.
- Han's latest work, "The Spirit of Hope" (2024), offered a surprising counterpoint to his critical perspective on society, advocating for a return to contemplation, empathy, and the courage to set limits as a foundation for a new ethical orientation.
- Han's enrichment data suggests that his multidimensional analyses encompass societal shifts towards an "achievement society," economic and cultural phenomena associated with Chinese capitalism, and the devastating impact of technology and neoliberalism on human subjectivity and social life.
