Born in 1951 in Embrun, France, François Jullien established a philosophical trajectory defined by the rigorous comparison of Chinese and European systems of thought. As both a Hellenist and a sinologist, he utilizes the conceptual frameworks of East Asia to examine the foundational biases and latent assumptions inherent in Western philosophical traditions.
Academic Foundation
Jullien is an alumnus of the École Normale Supérieure in Paris. He attained the agrégation in 1974 before pursuing extensive studies in Asia. Between 1975 and 1977, he taught at Peking University and Shanghai University. His academic credentials include a doctorate in Far East studies, awarded in 1983, following a doctorat de troisième cycle completed in 1978. Throughout his career, he has held significant institutional roles, including the presidency of the Collège International de Philosophie from 1995 to 1998.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Institutional Influence
His primary professional tenure has been at Paris Diderot University, where he directed the East Asia department between 1990 and 2000. Jullien also served as a senior member of the Institut Universitaire de France for a decade starting in 2001. His administrative footprint extends to international organizations, having led the Antenne Française de Sinologie in Hong Kong and the Association Française d'Etudes Chinoises. Currently, he serves as the Chair of Alterity at the Fondation Maison des Sciences de l'Homme.
Philosophical Methodology
Jullien constructs his work around the concept of the écart, or distance, between disparate cultures. Rather than engaging in traditional comparative study, he initiates a vis-à-vis to investigate the unthought-of elements of Western philosophy. By decentralizing these categories, he seeks to reveal alternative fecundities within human thought. His recent output emphasizes a philosophy of living, which acts as a departure from the traditional Greek focus on Being.
Fast facts
- Born: 1951, Embrun, France
- Primary Occupations: Philosopher, Sinologist, Hellenist
- Education: École Normale Supérieure, Peking University
- Awards: Hannah Arendt Prize (2010), Grand prix de philosophie (2011), Jean-Jacques-Rousseau Award (1996)
- Notable Role: President of the Collège International de Philosophie (1995-1998)
- Affiliation: Institut Universitaire de France
- Current Position: Chair of Alterity, Fondation Maison des Sciences de l'Homme
Questions readers ask
What is the core focus of François Jullien's philosophy?
He focuses on decentralizing Western thought by using Chinese philosophical frameworks to uncover biases and unexamined assumptions in European intellectual history.
What does Jullien mean by the term écart?
The écart represents the distance between two cultures, which he uses to create tension and reflection rather than seeking mere similarities or uniform universals.
Achievements
- Hannah Arendt Prize — 2010
- Held posts at Paris Diderot University
