What is a university?

In the midst of a torrent of change, I want to aim to build a community of knowledge based on the community of virtue.

　A university is a community of knowledge.And its mission is to contribute to society through education and research.Above all, the rapid progress of science and technology symbolized by the evolution of AI has made the world seen as being in the midst of a torrent of change, and the existing framework has collapsed and values ​​are diversifying. It is considered an urgent task to train people who have the flexibility to respond to.

　At such times, the situation is further complicated by the spread of the new coronavirus infection.The expectation that the evolution of science and technology will make it possible to realize what was previously impossible is losing momentum in the face of the reality that even what was possible until now will be impossible.We're still in the midst of change, but now that we're faced with big negative changes far beyond our imagination, we need a more flexible person.

　The message of refraining from going out, which restricts individual freedom, creates sympathetic pressure and reveals the problems that society has pushed so far, such as intense bashing to those who do not obey and discrimination against medical workers and infected people. rice field.With the development of science and technology, there are ways to overcome this situation, such as online classes and conferences, but on the other hand, these ethical issues have become apparent.In the face of a situation where the development of science and technology can realize a happy society, so to speak, the idea of ​​rising to the right is not enough, the development of science and technology can overcome many of the challenges facing humankind in the first place. I think that the number of people who have doubts is increasing.

　Our university is a university that advocates the trinity of knowledge, virtue, and body, and education of all personalities. Since its establishment in 1875, the aim has been to build a community of knowledge based on the community of virtue.Now that ethical issues such as discrimination and prejudice have been highlighted, I think it is time to question the true value of "conscience education," which is the founding spirit of our university.

　In addition, the liberalism of our university is based on the premise that we can act in a way that is not ashamed of our conscience. From the perspective of personal responsibility, it is also a good opportunity to think about what true freedom is.I would like to remind myself of the "cultivation of people who manage their conscience with skill" advocated by the founder Joseph Hardy Neesima, and work on education, research, and social contribution.

We would like to further promote diversity toward 2025.

　The spirit of Niijima, "one person is important," has been passed down to our university.This idea of ​​valuing people as individuals underlies our tradition and culture of recognizing and respecting diversity.

　In order to inherit and develop such traditions and culture, we are aiming to realize a campus where diverse people can coexist through various activities by further promoting diversity in "Doshisha University Vision 2025" [see column]. ..Our university's efforts to support students with disabilities have traditionally been evaluated as pioneering and have been used as a model for other universities.In addition to this, with a view to promoting globalization, support for sexual minorities, and promoting gender equality, we plan to open a "Diversity Promotion Office" to oversee these activities next spring.

　Diversity policy in Japan started from the perspective of being essential for the sustainable growth of the economy, as seen in the "Diversity 2017 Code of Conduct" prepared by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in March 3.The active participation of diverse human resources will enhance the ability to respond to the needs and risks of globalized and diversified markets amid the declining birthrate and aging population, leading to diversity management and the creation of innovation.Diversity spoken of from these economic effects is selfish for one's own interests and results, but no one denies respect for true diversity and accepts coexistence with different others. It is an altruistic thing that no one is hurt and cannot be denied, and that diversity is accepted.From this perspective of diversity, we would like to produce people who can further enhance all-personality education and contribute to the construction of a society full of diversity and tolerance.

Specializes

Touching the richness of medieval songs

　I am mainly studying medieval songs (songs sung on tunes) such as "Songs to Make the Dust".I had been aspiring to study Japanese literature since high school, but after entering university, I was exposed to the richness of medieval songs and chose to study.

　In the modern history of literature, the works of individuals with outstanding talents tend to be highly valued, as are middle school and high school textbooks.However, the world of literary arts supported by the group has a very rich expanse. "Songs to Make the Dust" is a collection of songs compiled by Emperor Go-Shirakawa at the end of the Heian period. There is something that appeals to our hearts today.

Japanese literature and AI

　By the way, national literature is often thought of as being farthest from the current digitalized society, but research on fusion of literacy and science that makes full use of digital technology, such as deciphering junk characters using AI, has also begun.Except for specialists, it is rare for people to be able to read the junk characters accurately, so some of the classic books and old documents that have not been reprinted (printed) are still unreadable, so to speak, in a sleeping state. many.They are now being gradually deciphered by new methods using AI.If this progresses, it is expected that the number of approaches from researchers in other fields will increase, and that new discoveries in Japanese literature and Japanese history will be born.

　In addition, the database of the texts of literary works is now being developed, making it easier to search for vocabulary.For example, "Kokka Taikan", which is a compilation of Japanese poems, has been made into a CD-ROM, which makes it possible to search for examples of a certain song in an instant.Of course, there are some things you need to be careful about.Since it is converted into data, the example tends to be seen as a numerical value, and the place where the weight of the example differs depending on who wrote the waka poem may be treated flat as the same example. is.

　Standardization and search are digital strengths, but they can also move conclusions away from the truth.The new method should be used to a great extent, but I think it is necessary to make a comprehensive judgment after learning an orthodox systematic discipline.

A word from my teacher

　There are unforgettable words about research.In the words of my teacher when I was a student, "You who have just started researching have no choice but to poke the corner of the heavy box. If you compare it to well digging, you have to dig the ground from one point first. Water will slowly spring up. The important thing is to think about what kind of flow the water will make, what kind of river it will join, and what kind of sea it will finally pour into. Always think about the wide sea. Poke the corner of the heavy box while thinking. "
　It has been a long time since the subdivision of academic research has become a problem, but the words of this teacher are that it is meaningful to tackle even a very small task from a big perspective, and it is easy. It reminds us that it is important to continue researching without giving up.

Message to high school students

What is the significance of liberal arts studies?

　Previously, the significance of the existence of liberal arts studies at the university was talked about, and at one point, the theory that the Faculty of Letters was unnecessary was also advocated.As a person who studies literature, I remember that there were many discussions that I wondered, but not only in the situation of the spread of the new coronavirus infection this time, no matter how much science and technology develops, philosophy and ethics etc. The problems covered by learning will not go away.There will surely be a phase where we have to look back on history.When thinking about what it means to live, scholarship such as philosophy, ethics, literature and history is indispensable.After the Great East Japan Earthquake, it is said that "Hojoki" was often read.From the experience of natural disasters and man-made disasters, Kamo no Chomei realized the fragility of the human world and the vainness of his obsession with mercy. It may have resonated with the hearts of many who felt the powerlessness of human beings, and gave suggestions for their way of life.

More power of words

　In recent years, as the evolution of AI has been attracting attention, there have been voices pointing out that children's reading comprehension has declined.Even in mathematics, the fact that you cannot solve a word problem is that you have a weak ability to replace sentences with mathematical formulas, and in the end, it is a matter of reading comprehension and, by extension, the ability of words.English is also important, but if you don't have the content to speak, you can't make full use of it.This is because the content is composed of Japanese and national languages.

　It seems that young people today have little experience in reading or writing long sentences, even if they are accustomed to sending short sentences on Twitter.Sensory communication that can only be used within the group is dominant, and expressions that lack logic are also noticeable.If you are in the upper grades of high school or a college student, you want to be able to use powerful words not only for tests and reports but also to convince others who are not in your peers. I think it is essential.Languages ​​embody culture and history, so understanding them and using them well will deepen your understanding of them.

　There are many things that people have to spend a lot of time thinking about in order to live.Especially when I go out into society, I often encounter opportunities where I have to set the problem myself and solve it in relation to others, instead of solving the given problem.In such a case, it will be a little miso, but the experience of reading literary works will come.In this revision of the high school curriculum guidelines, "logical national language" and "literary national language" were separated, but literary works also have logic.I believe that reading literary works will help you acquire logic.You will also be able to deeply empathize with others and develop the ability to imagine abundantly.

I want you to learn as widely as possible

　In recent years, there have been many negative opinions about the stuffing of knowledge, but without knowledge, originality cannot be born.Of course, it is important to be able to assert one's opinion with independence, but in order to relativize one's thoughts, it is necessary to understand the accumulation of past knowledge.

　Recently, I'm worried that an increasing number of students are teaching graduation thesis and concluding without showing any grounds, "I think this way."It may not be necessary to explain properly in words among those who can communicate with each other.However, in the academic world, it is first necessary to show an objective basis for why this can be said, so it is necessary to store it as knowledge in the previous research. Since research on "Genji Monogatari" began in the Kamakura period, we have no choice but to absorb them as knowledge.

　This kind of work is never wasted.The same is true for studying in different areas.For example, the experience of thinking about how to draw auxiliary lines in geometric problems is useful in fields other than mathematics.It is often the case in reading comprehension of literary works that drawing a single auxiliary line dramatically changes the situation and leads to the solution of the problem.I would like you to absorb a wide range of knowledge without deciding that it is useless to study because it is a field that is not related to you.

　In recent years, the fusion of literature and science has progressed in universities, but the more it progresses, the more knowledge in other fields will be required.You shouldn't narrow your learning early on because you don't need it to take the exam.Being willing to engage in a wide range of learning in high school leads to a wealth of learning at university.