[March Recommended Books by Korea Publication Culture Industry Promotion Agency] ② ‘Adolescent Philosophy Journey’

[Asia Economy Reporter Seomideum] The Korea Publication Culture Industry Promotion Agency's Book Sharing Committee announced seven titles, including Horangi Saengilnalireotda (Urihakgyo), as the "Recommended Books of March 2022."

The Book Sharing Committee is composed of experts from various fields. To expand publishing demand and promote reading culture, it introduces books in seven categories?literature, humanities and arts, social sciences, natural sciences, practical/general, picture books and fairy tales, and youth?each month along with recommendation notes.

The "Recommended Books of March" include seven titles: Horangi Saengilnalireotda (Urihakgyo), Adolescent Philosophy Journey (Chorokseojae), #Gender_Novels: Hashtag Literary Selection (Munhakgwa Jiseongsa), The Humanities of Poop (Yeoksabipyungsa), Women Should Also Serve in the Military (Dongnyeok), When Light Becomes Fascination (Influential), and A Game Treatment Manual for Everyone (Hankyoreh Publishing).

The Book Sharing Committee members include Chairperson Jung Subok (sociologist), Kwon Bokgyu (Ewha Womans University Medical School professor), Ryu Daesung (writer), Jo Gyeongran (novelist), Jin Taewon (Sungkonghoe University professor), Choi Hyunmi (Munhwa Ilbo reporter), and Pyo Jeonghun (critic).

Detailed information about the Book Sharing Committee’s recommended books and recommendation notes can be found on the Publication Promotion Agency’s website or the Dokseoin website.

Adolescent Philosophy Journey: Philosophy Stories for Teens | Yu Seong-o | Chorokseojae | 176 pages | 14,500 KRW

What exactly is happiness? Does love change? Is everything I see really true? When curiosity about the world turns inward, humans begin philosophical thinking. Even without learning the names of Eastern and Western philosophers or their theories, a time comes to deeply contemplate one’s life, relationships with others, and mysterious natural phenomena. As Kant said, philosophy is not mere knowledge or information to memorize but something to “do.” To live as the master of our own lives, we need the power to think. Especially during adolescence, life views and values are formed. Deep reflection on why I was born and how I will live determines career, profession, and future life.

In a way, we forget such obvious questions. We chase worldly desires, imitate those around us, and overly care about others’ opinions. This is because we lack our own philosophy for living in the world. Yu Seong-o, who taught philosophy for many years, addresses these concerns at the adolescent level. Philosophy for life, not dead knowledge trapped in textbooks, must answer very practical and concrete questions. Instead of memorizing Epicurus’s definition of happiness, we need the attitude to reduce the size of our desires. The fact that the sun sets in the evening and snow falls in winter may not be an absolute truth. Somewhere on Earth, the sun never sets at night, and snow never falls all winter. “Doing philosophy” starts with doubt and questions. Thinking that things are just the way they are is a passive and conventional attitude. Philosophy is the practice of pondering fundamental reasons and causes, developing critical insight, and thinking logically and rationally.

You can forget difficult philosophical terms like idealism and materialism, ideals and reality, asceticism and pleasure, existence and deconstruction. Philosophy graded by multiple-choice tests is unnecessary. The turbulent and wandering period of adolescence is a rite of passage everyone must go through. More wandering and reflection make one stronger and more mature. I believe that living a life that “does philosophy” with the whole body, not just the head, will create a bright and healthy future. Let’s embark on an adolescent philosophy journey, even if late.

- Ryu Daesung, author of The Future of Reading

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.