Socrates Never Called Evil Law
- Kang Jung-in, an honorary professor of political science and diplomacy at Sogang University, died Sunday at 7 p.m.
- After earning his doctorate in political science from Berkeley university, Kang joined the faculty at Sogang University's department of Political Science and Diplomacy in 1989.
- Initially focused on Western political thought,Kang's interests evolved to encompass democratic ideals.
Kang Jung-in, Sogang University Professor, Dies at 74
Table of Contents
- Kang Jung-in, Sogang University Professor, Dies at 74
- Remembering Professor Kang Jung-in: A Life Dedicated to Political Science
- Who was Kang Jung-in?
- What were Professor Kang Jung-in’s Key Contributions?
- What was Professor Kang’s Academic Background?
- Did Professor Kang Receive any Awards?
- What were Professor Kang’s Research Interests?
- What Did Professor Kang Believe About Socrates?
- How Did Professor Kang Greet public Recognition?
- What were some of professor Kang’s Published Works?
- What were Kang Jung-in’s Views on Socrates’ Statement to Criton?
- What were the details of the funeral?
- Who were Professor Kang’s surviving Family Members?
- Summary of Professor Kang’s Career and Contributions
Kang Jung-in, an honorary professor of political science and diplomacy at Sogang University, died Sunday at 7 p.m. He was 74.
Academic Career and Contributions
After earning his doctorate in political science from Berkeley university, Kang joined the faculty at Sogang University’s department of Political Science and Diplomacy in 1989. His academic work earned him the Korean Academic Award in 2004 for his book, “beyond Western Centralism.”
Initially focused on Western political thought,Kang’s interests evolved to encompass democratic ideals. In recent years,he dedicated his research to comparing modern Korean political ideas with those of both East Asia and the West.
Challenging Conventional Wisdom on Socrates
Kang gained public recognition at the 1993 Annual Academic Presentation of the Korean Political Science Society. He presented a paper arguing that Socrates never actually said, “evil law is law.” Kang posited that Athenian judges were prepared to release Socrates, recognizing the value of his beliefs. Though, Socrates believed his philosophical duty – “loving wisdom, pursuing virtue, and enlightening it to Athenians” – was a divine command. Thus, he chose martyrdom to protect his philosophy, rather than submit to what he considered an unjust law.
Furthermore, Kang challenged the interpretation of Socrates’ words to his friend Criton, who suggested he escape. Kang argued that Socrates’ statement,”The law is a promise with the state. I was tried by the law, even if it was to take my life,” was a suggestion for upholding justice, even in the face of personal sacrifice. The National Human Rights Commission of Korea echoed this sentiment in November 2002.
Published Works
Kang’s published works include:
- “Ideological Portraits of Liberal Democracy” (1993)
- “Understanding of Democracy” (1997)
- “Rule Theory” (1994)
- “Militarism” (2008)
Survivors and Funeral Information
Kang is survived by his wife, Yoo Yun-sun, and his children, Sebin.
The funeral is scheduled for 8 a.m. on May 6 at Pyeongchon Hallim Daesung Heart Hospital. The phone number for the hospital is (031) 382-5004.
Remembering Professor Kang Jung-in: A Life Dedicated to Political Science
This article pays tribute to the life and work of Professor Kang Jung-in, an esteemed figure in the field of political science and diplomacy. We’ll explore his academic journey, his contributions to the study of political thought, and his unique perspectives on historical figures like Socrates.
Who was Kang Jung-in?
Professor Kang Jung-in was an honorary professor of political science and diplomacy at Sogang University. He passed away on a Sunday at the age of 74.
What were Professor Kang Jung-in’s Key Contributions?
professor Kang dedicated his career to the study of political science. He made significant contributions to understanding both Western and Eastern political thought, with a specific focus on democratic ideals and the comparison of Korean political ideas with those from East Asia and the West.
What was Professor Kang’s Academic Background?
Professor Kang earned his doctorate in political science from the University of California, Berkeley.He joined Sogang University’s department of Political Science and Diplomacy in 1989.
Did Professor Kang Receive any Awards?
Yes, Professor Kang received the Korean Academic Award in 2004 for his book, “beyond Western Centralism.”
What were Professor Kang’s Research Interests?
Initially, his research focused on Western political thought. His interests subsequently evolved to include democratic ideals and the comparative study of modern Korean political ideas with those from both East Asia and the west.
What Did Professor Kang Believe About Socrates?
Professor kang challenged the conventional interpretations of Socrates’ words and actions. He argued that Socrates never actually said, “evil law is law.” Moreover, he posited Socrates chose martyrdom to protect his philosophical duty (“loving wisdom, pursuing virtue, and enlightening it to Athenians”) rather than submitting to what he considered an unjust law.
How Did Professor Kang Greet public Recognition?
Professor Kang gained public recognition at the 1993 Annual Academic Presentation of the Korean Political Science Society.
What were some of professor Kang’s Published Works?
Here is a list of key publications by Professor Kang:
“Ideological Portraits of Liberal Democracy” (1993)
“Understanding of Democracy” (1997)
“Rule Theory” (1994)
“Militarism” (2008)
What were Kang Jung-in’s Views on Socrates’ Statement to Criton?
Professor Kang argued that Socrates’ statement, “The law is a promise with the state. I was tried by the law,even if it was to take my life,” was a suggestion for upholding justice,even in the face of personal sacrifice.
What were the details of the funeral?
The funeral for Professor Kang Jung-in was scheduled for 8 a.m. on may 6 at Pyeongchon Hallim Daesung Heart Hospital. The hospital’s phone number is (031) 382-5004.
Who were Professor Kang’s surviving Family Members?
Professor Kang is survived by his wife, Yoo yun-sun, and his children, Sebin.
Summary of Professor Kang’s Career and Contributions
| Category | Details |
| ——————– | ——————————————————————————————— |
| Academic Affiliation | Honorary Professor, Sogang University (Political Science & Diplomacy) |
| Education | Ph.D. in Political Science, University of California, Berkeley |
| Key Book | “beyond Western Centralism” |
| Research Focus | Western Political Thought, Democratic Ideals, Korean/East Asian/Western Political Idea Comparisons |
| Notable Contribution | Challenging Conventional Views of Socrates |
| Recognition | Korean Academic Award (2004); Public Recognition at Korean Political Science Society (1993) |
