Yanrui Chong is a graduate student in the Department of Philosophy at Seoul National University. Originally from China, he has been studying abroad in South Korea for nine years. His recent research focuses on Formal Epistemology, including topics like Normality, Awareness Growth, Skepticism, and Ideal Epistemology. This is the second time he has been invited for an interview in this column. This time, he wishes to share his life outside of his research work in Korea and some of his views on world peace.
If you could be anyone else for a day, who would that be and why?
Recently, virtual reality technology has sparked considerable debate in philosophical circles. Some believe we can better understand others by experiencing their lives through virtual reality, while others argue that such experiences still fall short of truly grasping another person’s feelings. However, if I could genuinely become someone else, I think it would offer a tremendous epistemic advantage. I would choose to become one of the most vulnerable or marginalized individuals in society—for example, a child suffering in war or a father who has lost a child. We cannot experience their inner world from a third-person perspective, and because of their unfortunate circumstances or oppressed status, they possess unique epistemic privileges. I want to become such a person to gain access to knowledge and insights that are otherwise beyond my reach. Specifically, last year, when I fainted and fell by the roadside, feeling powerless to get up, I felt the world had changed. Everything around me seemed cruel and indifferent. It was a world of helplessness where no one would help—a world I had never experienced before. Had I not endured such hardship, I might not have felt this sense of helplessness until old age, when I might have lost the ability to live independently. Therefore, despite breaking my leg, I was still grateful because I gained an unprecedented epistemic insight.
What do you like to do outside work?
Outside work, I enjoy city walks, aiming to surpass ten thousand steps daily and sharing this achievement in an exercise group with my Korean friends. I like to traverse any city on foot alone. I prefer not to visit overcrowded, commercialized tourist spots or follow others’ recommendations or itineraries, as if I were just completing tasks. Instead, I enjoy wandering freely through the city, using my observations to absorb the unique atmosphere of its streets and experiencing the distinctive lifestyles of the people around me. I also enjoy playing table tennis, badminton, and tennis with international friends. Although I’m not exceptionally skilled in these sports and often lose matches, my philosophy of sports is that the significance of sports isn’t just about winning. Nor is it solely about promoting health, as the risk of injuries during sports can be greater than when not exercising. For me, the essence of sports lies in providing a peaceful means of interaction. Just like the spirit of the modern Olympics, where the five colored rings symbolize that all people—regardless of nationality, race, gender, or profession—can come together peacefully to compete. During sports, we set aside disagreements, let go of prejudices, and follow the same rules to determine the outcome. Through sports, I experience peaceful collaboration with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures. Living in Korea as a foreigner isn’t easy. I strive to integrate into Korean life by playing table tennis with locals and making friends through sports!
If you were a brick in the wall, which brick would you be?
I have to say, I’m just an ordinary brick. Especially in the face of global affairs, I feel that the recent crises between North and South Korea, and even worldwide, are intensifying. I recall when I first came to South Korea in 2016 and began learning Korean. Back then, inter-Korean relations were very tense. My Korean teacher even told us that war could break out in Korea at any moment, and the most startling thing was that North and South Korea were only in a ceasefire—they hadn’t officially ended the war. Seeing the tense situation, my teacher advised us to return to our countries. That was my initial experience upon arriving in Korea—it felt like I was constantly living on the brink of war. Yet, simultaneously, I saw Koreans helping each other on the subway or streets. I felt this country was filled with love; the people here are kind. I didn’t want to leave them because of the flames of war.
And so, while occasionally worrying about North Korea, I have lived peacefully in South Korea for nine years. But now, in 2024, things seem different. The most significant change lies in the global situation—the world’s backdrop has shifted. In 2016, the world seemed very peaceful; the idea of war suddenly breaking out was almost inconceivable. However, in the past couple of years, wars have occurred one after another—endless conflicts are happening. We seem more inclined to believe that North Korea might start a war this time. After all, history is recorded in hindsight. We can read in books that World War II began on a specific date, but people at the time couldn’t have imagined that a local conflict would escalate into a global war lasting several years. I’m living in a similar predicament; I can only live in the present moment, using the limited information available to speculate about our current situation and assess our circumstances and future trends to decide how to act and make choices. We don’t even know whether, when future history books record World War III, it might be considered to have started in 2022. Perhaps we’re already during it without realizing it. But I want to say that although I’m an ordinary brick, I’m also a brick with my unique imprint. My choices and actions shape me, and I’m deeply influenced by the times and my country! Anyway, I wish for world peace!
What do you consider your greatest accomplishment?
Having spent many years in South Korea, I’m honored to study in the country’s best philosophy department. Although I don’t yet have any published papers or books, when I think about my most outstanding achievement, perhaps it’s my contributions to public welfare and charity—dedicating myself in various ways to help others. For example, I’ve donated many of the books I’ve collected over the years to the Seoul National University Library. These valuable research materials have filled some gaps in their collection. I’m delighted to see that the donated books are being borrowed. I know I’ve helped many researchers.
What advice do you wish someone had given you?
When I first started my graduate studies, I faced many difficulties. No one helped me, encouraged me, or offered any advice. If my past self could have received some suggestions or encouragement (though that wasn’t possible), I would say to myself back then: You should strive to overcome difficulties and challenge yourself rather than retreating into your comfort zone. By any means necessary, you can do it—just be yourself! You’re genuinely excellent! I often shared the advice I wanted to hear with my Korean friends, who later enrolled.
Additionally, for friends who, like me, are just entering analytic philosophy and facing significant challenges, you can follow my WeChat subscription account, PhiloSphere (哲境). I plan to introduce some excellent, cutting-edge philosophical content to China, which will be very helpful for many graduate students. Of course, I will strictly adhere to copyright laws and translate within the scope permitted by law and the authors. You can also check my related translations on my website.
What three things are on your bucket list that you’ve not yet accomplished?
First, I aspire to complete my Ph.D. in philosophy. I will write my writing sample and thesis. If all goes well, it will be a paper on normalized epistemology. I hope to use this paper to open the door to pursuing a doctorate in the United States. After all, the world is vast, and situations vary across countries. Staying only in Korea or China feels somewhat narrow, and earning a doctorate is just the starting point for a philosopher. Secondly, I hope to publish a genuinely impactful paper in an international philosophy journal. Lastly, and perhaps the most challenging, I hope to lose and maintain weight again. I’ve lost weight before, but the rebound was quick. These three may not seem like grand goals, but they are the most important things for me.
This section of the APA Blog is designed to get to know our fellow philosophers a little better. We’re including profiles of APA members that spotlight what captures their interest not only inside the office, but also outside of it. We’d love for you to be a part of it, so please contact us via the interview nomination form here to nominate yourself or a friend.
Smrutipriya Pattnaik
Smrutipriya Pattnaik, Ph.D. in Social and Political Philosophy from IIT Indore, India serves as the Teaching Beat and Work/Life Balance editor for the APA Blog. Her research delves into utopia, social imagination, and politics, with a focus on the aftermath of socialist experiments on Liberal-Capitalist-Democratic societies. Currently authoring "Politics, Utopia, and Social Imagination."
