A casual glance at today's news – especially the short videos that circulate so effortlessly online – gives an immediate sense of the severity of the current international situation. Geopolitical conflicts continue to escalate across multiple regions. Instability is deepening in parts of the world, while oil and other essential resource crises are emerging one after another.

At the same time, the rapid advancement of technology, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), has undoubtedly brought tremendous convenience. Yet humanity still struggles to define the limits and future trajectory of these technologies. Both individuals and humanity as a whole seem to face the future with a sense of uncertainty.

Against this backdrop, the second World Conference of Classics, to be held in Athens, Greece, from June 9 to 10, arrives at a particularly timely moment. As humanity grapples with geopolitical tensions, technological disruption, and questions about the future of global order, the conference, themed "Dialogue between Ancient and Modern: Contemporary Inspirations from Classical Wisdom," revisits the intellectual resources of classical civilizations not as an exercise in nostalgia but to seek enduring insights to address the challenges of our own age.

As an ancient Chinese saying reminds us: "To see danger and fail to act is contrary to righteousness; to shrink from a powerful enemy out of fear is contrary to courage." Since the dawn of civilization, humanity has developed by confronting and overcoming crises.

Classical civilizations emerged because great thinkers, while grappling with crises, developed comprehensive reflections on the world order and humanity, as well as corresponding political practices. These reflections became valuable resources for overcoming future crises. Now may well be the most important moment for us to rediscover and draw upon the inner spirit of the classical tradition.

The wisdom of classical civilizations does not fear conflict. Yet neither does it regard conflict as the natural condition of humanity, an inevitable reality to be accepted, or something to be deliberately manufactured for political ends.

Modern political theory was originally built upon the assumption that "man is a wolf to man." From this premise naturally follows the belief that conflict among states – and even among civilizations – is inevitable.

By contrast, the imagination and cultivation of peace are deeply rooted in the Chinese classical tradition. As the Book of Documents, one of the five classics of ancient Chinese literature and the foundation of Chinese political philosophy, states: "When governance is harmonious, all nations enjoy peace."

The essence of politics lies in harmony. A peaceful world of nations – whether the smaller states of antiquity or the countries of the modern era – is a goal worthy of humanity's aspirations. Peace can be achieved only through harmony in political conduct and harmony in political institutions and practices. It is through such harmonious governance that the ideal of "peace among all nations" may be realized.

Yet ancient wisdom did not call or pray for peace alone. Xunzi, the great Confucian thinker who championed benevolence and righteousness, was once asked why someone who advocated humaneness would also discuss warfare and military strategy. His answer: "The purpose of military force is to restrain violence and eliminate harm, not to compete for advantage."

Today's international order is filled with rivalry and contention. But from Xunzi's perspective, we should not abandon military force. Rather, we need political strength to curb aggression and destruction. Faced with forces that generate discord in the world, those who cherish peace must cultivate the strength necessary to secure it, rather than relying solely on appeals and exhortations.

The turbulence and imbalance of the international order are also closely linked to the neglect of justice – particularly among political actors. In The Republic, Greek philosopher Plato emphasizes that justice is indispensable both to the individual soul and to the political community. To extend this insight further – today, justice is also indispensable to international society.

Significantly, before embarking on a thorough discussion of justice, Plato's mentor Socrates and his interlocutors devote an entire book of dialogue to refuting the popular claim that justice is merely the interest of the stronger. This popular claim still hangs over our world today. In relations among states, some countries invoke "rules" while in reality advancing only the will and interests of the powerful.

Yet, as Socrates argues, injustice ultimately harms even those who practice it, for politics is fundamentally concerned with the well-being of the community as a whole.

Human society should no longer be understood as a collection of fragmented national interests. Rather, it should be recognized as a community with a shared future and common destiny.

Among contemporary technologies, artificial intelligence perhaps most vividly symbolizes the complex relationship between technological development and humanity. Yet at its core, AI remains an extension of the fundamental logic that has driven modern science. Advanced technologies can benefit humanity, but they can also be used to create crises and instability.

The French thinker Simone Weil once observed that beyond the seemingly objective mechanisms of technology and scientific laws, there must be something else that constitutes the human being. Classical wisdom is particularly profound in its exploration of this "something else." Reflection on human nature and on the relationship between humanity and the world as a whole is what ultimately determines whether technology serves the good – whether it contributes to the spiritual growth of individuals or to the well-being of humanity as a whole.

"The world belongs to all under heaven." The world is a shared home for all peoples and all nations; it does not belong to any single country or alliance. This broad-minded vision found in the classical tradition – the aspiration to understand and embrace the concerns of all under heaven – is perhaps what modern humanity lacks most. By pursuing peace, justice, and the good with steadfast resolve, humanity may move closer to a world that truly belongs to all.

Lou Lin is a professor in the Department of Classics at Sichuan University.