[Good Brain 2022] '103-Year-Old Philosopher' Professor Kim Hyung-seok: "Live Without Thinking 90 Is Old"

'Lessons from a Century of Life' Keynote Speech
Fruition Brings Happiness to Society
Body May Age, but Spirit Remains
"Study, Work, and Stay Engaged with Society"

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] "Keep studying. You should do what you love and take a great interest in society. From my experience, mental strength can be developed well into the age of 95. Living a healthy centenarian life is now both our right and our duty."

At the ‘Good Brain 2022 Conference’ hosted by Asia Economy on the 21st at the Westin Chosun Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul, Kim Hyung-seok, Professor Emeritus at Yonsei University, delivered the keynote speech titled ‘Lessons from a Centenarian Life’ with a clear tone. As an intellectual of the era and a ‘103-year-old philosopher’ who has surpassed the upper limit of longevity (Sangsu), his calm words based on his life about preparing for a healthy centenarian era received a warm response from the audience.

Professor Emeritus Kim viewed life in the centenarian era as divided into three major stages. The first stage is up to the age of 30, during which one receives education and grows oneself; the second stage lasts until around the age of 60, when one works and retires; and the third stage is the period of old age thereafter. He emphasized that this third stage is the most precious period in life. Professor Kim smiled and said, "I lived for my job until I retired from university at 65, but when I thought about what I had given to society, there was nothing. When I considered which of the three stages was the most precious, it was the third stage where one can bear fruit and give back to society."

Professor Emeritus Kim conveyed to the audience his life philosophy that "one does not age while growing," based on his own experience. He said, "Around my 50s and 60s, my memory seemed to decline a bit, but my thinking ability became stronger. When I organized my thoughts on how long I had grown, it seemed I had grown from 60 to 75 years old. I tried to extend this until 90 years old, and although my physical functions declined, my mental strength remained until about 95. I am currently maintaining my health through mental strength."

Professor Kim especially emphasized, "Now, there is no need to think that you have mentally aged until 90." He then suggested three ways to welcome a healthy centenarian life: continue studying, do not lose your work, and maintain an interest in society. He currently reads short texts such as the Analects whenever he has free time and consistently writes in his diary. He also shared an anecdote with a student to emphasize the importance of work. Professor Kim introduced, "When I was a high school teacher, a student came to me saying, ‘There is a calligraphy exhibition at Gwanghwamun, and I hope you can come.’ When I asked how old he was, he answered 90," and added, "After retirement, thinking about what to do with the rest of his life, he was doing calligraphy, which he liked, his own work."

Professor Emeritus Kim, who is still busy with various lectures and writing activities, repeatedly emphasized that there is no need to think of oneself as ‘old.’ He said, "I hope you all live without thinking you are old until 90," and added, "If the absolute majority of the people think this way, there will be no happier country."