Dr. Byung-Chul Han, one of the most influential contemporary philosophers and essayists, will be awarded an honorary doctorate by Universitat Ramon Llull (URL), following a joint proposal by La Salle-URL’s School of Architecture and Faculty of Philosophy. The distinction recognises the contributions of a thinker who examines some of the major paradoxes of a technology-driven society and challenges the assumption that greater choice and productivity necessarily lead to greater freedom or stronger human relationships. “Technology without political control, technique without ethics, can take on a monstrous form and enslave people,” he warned in his acceptance speech for the 2025 Princess of Asturias Award for Communication and Humanities.
The ceremony will take place on 17 November at 11.00 a.m. at the Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar in Barcelona, a landmark of architectural and spiritual significance that lends the occasion a special symbolic dimension. The setting resonates with some of the central themes explored in Dr. Han’s work, including contemplation, the relationship between people and their surroundings, and the ways in which human beings inhabit the world.
The investiture also highlights the value of connecting disciplines and challenging established assumptions. How is technology transforming the way people live, think and relate to one another? What can architecture and philosophy contribute to understanding these changes? These questions resonate with the educational approach of La Salle - Universitat Ramon Llull, where technology and humanism come together to generate knowledge and act as catalysts for exploring new perspectives and helping build a fairer, more sustainable society.
Architecture and philosophy: two perspectives on understanding the world
For the first time in its history, Universitat Ramon Llull will award an honorary doctorate following a joint proposal by two of its academic centres. La Salle-URL’s School of Architecture and Faculty of Philosophy have promoted this recognition based on the conviction that the major questions facing contemporary society cannot be addressed through a single discipline. In this context, Dr. Han’s work provides common ground, raising questions that encourage a rethinking of the relationship between technology, people and their surroundings.
This shared perspective will also be reflected in the investiture ceremony, where Dr. Josep Ferrando, Director of the School of Architecture, and Dr. Carles Llinàs, Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy, will serve as Dr. Byung-Chul Han’s academic sponsors and present his academic and intellectual achievements.
At La Salle-URL’s Faculty of Philosophy, Dr. Han’s thought resonates with an educational approach that promotes critical thinking and dialogue between philosophical tradition and the major questions of the present and future. His analysis of acceleration, digitalisation and the contradictions of contemporary society encourages reflection on how the world is changing and the consequences of these transformations for individuals.
“Dr. Han’s thought shows that the challenges facing society are technological and social, but also human and spiritual. In the face of the acceleration and loss of reference points that characterise the present, his work reasserts the importance of contemplation, attention to others and hope. His reflections on transcendence and the very question of God invite us to revisit fundamental questions about the meaning of existence and the bonds that sustain community life,” highlights Dr. Carles Llinàs, Dean of the Faculty.
Meanwhile, La Salle-URL’s School of Architecture finds in Dr. Byung-Chul Han’s work a perspective that resonates with its approach to architecture, combining technical knowledge and design with a strong cultural and humanistic foundation. His reflections on the relationship with our surroundings, technology and contemporary ways of life directly challenge the discipline, particularly through the spaces in which people live and interact.
“Architecture goes beyond designing and constructing buildings. It also helps foster relationships between people through the spaces they inhabit and their surroundings, while shaping community life. Dr. Han’s thought encourages a broader perspective and invites reflection on how acceleration, technology and our relationship with the material world are transforming the way we inhabit and understand the spaces we share,” says Dr. Josep Ferrando, Director of the School.
A body of work exploring the human condition: from exhaustion to hope
Born in Seoul (South Korea) in 1959, Dr. Byung-Chul Han earned his PhD in Philosophy from the University of Freiburg (Germany), with a dissertation on Martin Heidegger, and has pursued his academic career at several universities in Germany and Switzerland. His work, translated into dozens of languages, has reached far beyond academia, establishing him as one of the leading figures in contemporary thought.
The author of books including The Burnout Society, The Transparency Society, Non-things, Infocracy, The Spirit of Hope and Vita Contemplativa, among others, Dr. Han examines the consequences of neoliberalism, hyperproductivity and digitalisation, as well as issues such as the crisis of democracy, the weakening of social bonds and the search for meaning. In response to the contradictions of contemporary society, his thought emphasises the importance of contemplation, spirituality, attentiveness, human connection and hope.
The investiture ceremony, open to the public with prior registration, will be presided over by Dr. Carles Pérez Testor, Rector of Ramon Llull University, and will feature an investiture lecture delivered by Dr. Han. The experience will continue on 18 November at the La Salle-URL campus, where the philosopher will engage in dialogue with around a hundred students and lecturers from the Faculty of Philosophy and the School of Architecture, bringing his ideas closer to those preparing to understand and address the challenges of the future.