Ulrich Libbrecht
A Bridge Between
Worlds
1. Early Life and Education
- Born: 10 July 1928, Avelgem, Belgium
- Died: 15 May 2017, Ronse, Belgium
- Libbrecht’s intellectual journey began with a
fascination for languages and cultures far beyond Europe.
- He studied sinology (Chinese language and
culture) at Ghent University, later earning his doctorate cum laude
in 1972 from Leiden University.
2. Academic Career
- In 1972, the same year he graduated from Leiden,
Libbrecht became professor of sinology, Chinese philosophy, and
Buddhology at the University of Leuven.
- He founded two influential institutions:
- School for Comparative Philosophy in Antwerp, Belgium
- School Philosophy East–West in Utrecht, Netherlands
- His teaching style was known for blending
rigorous textual analysis with a deep respect for lived cultural
traditions.
3. Philosophical Focus
Libbrecht was an authority in Eastern and comparative philosophy,
but his work went beyond mere comparison—it sought a unifying framework
for understanding human thought.
Core Idea: The Energy–Information Model
- In his magnum opus, Introduction to
Comparative Philosophy (4 volumes, Dutch), and its English abridgment Within
the Four Seas… Introduction to Comparative Philosophy (2007),
Libbrecht proposed a paradigm-free model based on two axes:
1. Energy – representing the dynamic, material, and processual aspects of
reality.
2. Information – representing the
structural, conceptual, and meaning-making aspects.
- This model accommodates the worldviews of
Taoism, Buddhism, and Rationalism, which he saw as emblematic of the Chinese,
Indian, and Western intellectual heritages2.
4. Science, Religion, and Global Thought
- Libbrecht’s framework was designed to integrate
science and religion without forcing them into a single paradigm.
- He argued that each cultural tradition offers a partial
but indispensable perspective on reality, and that a global philosophy
must respect these differences while seeking common ground.
- His work resonates with contemporary debates on intercultural
philosophy, post-colonial thought, and philosophy of science.
5. Legacy and Influence
- Comparative Philosophy Pioneer: Libbrecht is often called the
“father of comparative philosophy” in the Low Countries.
- Educational Impact: His schools and writings
trained generations of scholars to think beyond Eurocentric frameworks.
- Public Intellectual: He wrote accessibly for
general audiences, advocating for a cosmopolitan worldview in an
era of increasing global interconnection.
6. Works
Inleiding tot de vergelijkende filosofie (4 vols.), Various Magnum opus in Dutch
Within the Four Seas… Introduction to Comparative Philosophy, 2007, English
abridgment of the above
7. Why Libbrecht Matters Today
In a world grappling with cultural fragmentation and ideological
polarization, Libbrecht’s work offers:
- A methodological openness—avoiding the
imposition of one worldview over another.
- A conceptual toolkit for integrating
insights from science, religion, and philosophy.
- A vision of dialogue that is neither
relativistic nor dogmatic.
8- Readings
Comparative Philosophy: A Methodological Approach
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