{"id":13376,"date":"2013-09-20T14:00:00","date_gmt":"2013-09-20T05:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nkzw.jp\/igf\/2013\/09\/20\/en-philo-japanigf-2013-confucius-rectification\/"},"modified":"2013-09-20T14:00:00","modified_gmt":"2013-09-20T05:00:00","slug":"en-philo-japanigf-2013-confucius-rectification","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nkzw.jp\/igf\/2013\/09\/20\/en-philo-japanigf-2013-confucius-rectification\/","title":{"rendered":"Confucian Rectification of Names on Japan IGF 2013 Tokyo \u2014 Rectification of names and ritual propriety"},"content":{"rendered":"

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This essay applies the conceptual framework of the Classical Chinese Philosophy<\/strong> \u2014 most prominently associated with Confucius<\/strong> \u2014 to re-read the Japan IGF 2013 Tokyo conference. Target audience: researchers, doctoral students, policy analysts, and executives.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Introduction: The Problem<\/h2>\n

Confucius's rectification of names taught that misalignment of name and reality is the root of social disorder. ICANN\/IGF\u56fd\u5185\u9023\u643a debated at Japan IGF also involves aligning names (categories) and realities.<\/p>\n

This essay argues that the multistakeholder process of Japan IGF becomes intelligible in its specificity only through the concept of Rectification of names and ritual propriety<\/strong>, and that the concept itself undergoes transformation under the new material of digital space. Describing this mutual transformation is the task of this essay.<\/p>\n

\"Analytical<\/p>\n

Digital rectification of names<\/h2>\n

Without rectifying terms like "multistakeholder," "user," and "data," international consensus lacks substance. In Japan's context, Confucian heritage of ritual propriety grounds the formation of digital protocol etiquette.<\/p>\n

Each session's agenda-setting can be read as a contemporary restaging of the Confucius-type problematic.<\/p>\n

The national-level IGF (Japan IGF) is an attempt to redefine the modern category of the nation-state in the digital era.<\/p>\n

Protocol as ritual<\/h2>\n

Confucius's concepts are not confined to abstract philosophical discussion; they apply to the concrete agenda items debated at the 2013 conference. We examine that application below.<\/p>\n

1. Application to "ICANN\/IGF\u56fd\u5185\u9023\u643a"<\/h3>\n

Discussion of "ICANN\/IGF\u56fd\u5185\u9023\u643a" can be positioned, from the perspective of Confucius's Rectification of names and ritual propriety<\/strong>, as a central problematic. In Japan's context, the three layers of regulatory design, social implementation, and citizen participation around ICANN\/IGF\u56fd\u5185\u9023\u643a are particularly at stake.<\/p>\n

2. Application to "IPv6"<\/h3>\n

Discussion of "IPv6" can be positioned, from the perspective of Confucius's Rectification of names and ritual propriety<\/strong>, as a derivative problematic. In Japan's context, the three layers of regulatory design, social implementation, and citizen participation around IPv6 are particularly at stake.<\/p>\n

3. Application to "\u30e2\u30d0\u30a4\u30eb"<\/h3>\n

Discussion of "\u30e2\u30d0\u30a4\u30eb" can be positioned, from the perspective of Confucius's Rectification of names and ritual propriety<\/strong>, as a peripheral yet important problematic. In Japan's context, the three layers of regulatory design, social implementation, and citizen participation around \u30e2\u30d0\u30a4\u30eb are particularly at stake.<\/p>\n

4. Application to "\u56fd\u5185\u6cd5\u6574\u5099"<\/h3>\n

Discussion of "\u56fd\u5185\u6cd5\u6574\u5099" can be positioned, from the perspective of Confucius's Rectification of names and ritual propriety<\/strong>, as a peripheral yet important problematic. In Japan's context, the three layers of regulatory design, social implementation, and citizen participation around \u56fd\u5185\u6cd5\u6574\u5099 are particularly at stake.<\/p>\n

5. Application to "\u653f\u5e9c\uff0b\u6c11\u9593\u5354\u50cd"<\/h3>\n

Discussion of "\u653f\u5e9c\uff0b\u6c11\u9593\u5354\u50cd" can be positioned, from the perspective of Confucius's Rectification of names and ritual propriety<\/strong>, as a peripheral yet important problematic. In Japan's context, the three layers of regulatory design, social implementation, and citizen participation around \u653f\u5e9c\uff0b\u6c11\u9593\u5354\u50cd are particularly at stake.<\/p>\n

\"Philosophical<\/p>\n

Implications for Executives and Practitioners<\/h2>\n

The philosophical reflection of this essay is not merely academic. The Confucius perspective carries three practical implications for executives operating in Japan.<\/p>\n

First, it raises the reflexive question of how the firm's business model connects to the logic of Rectification of names and ritual propriety<\/strong>. Second, in dialogue with regulators and civil society, it suggests dimensions of consensus formation that purely technical arguments cannot reach. Third, it indicates that the long-term ground of business legitimacy lies not so much in technical advantage or market share as in participation in such philosophical-normative debates.<\/p>\n

Academic Positioning and Future Research<\/h2>\n

The argument of this essay attempts to graft a philosophical perspective onto the mainstream political-science and legal approaches to internet governance research. Three future research questions follow.<\/p>\n

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  1. Verification of the applicability of Confucius's framework to other IGF conferences<\/li>\n
  2. Comparative contrast between Classical Chinese Philosophy<\/strong> and other theoretical traditions<\/li>\n
  3. Exploration of dialogue possibilities with the indigenous intellectual traditions of Japan<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    In particular, the third point has the potential to liberate IGF research from West-centric debate and open a more multi-layered discursive space.<\/p>\n

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    Primary Sources<\/strong><\/p>\n