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曲学阿世 (きょくがくあせい) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
noun
prostitution of learning ; twisting the truth to suit the times
yojijukugo (four-character idiom)
A yojijukugo describing the act of distorting academic or intellectual integrity to curry favor with those in power or to conform to current trends. Often used in critical or moralistic contexts.
権けん 力りょく に おもねる 学がく 者しゃ は 曲きょく 学がく 阿あ 世せい と 非ひ 難なん さ れる 。
Scholars who flatter those in power are condemned for twisting the truth to suit the times.
Kanji 学 study, learning, science 阿 Africa, flatter, fawn upon 世 generation, world, society Similar words 阿あ 諛ゆ 追つい 従しょう 阿諛追従 refers to sycophantic flattery in general, while 曲学阿世 specifically involves distorting scholarship or truth for personal gain.
御ご 用よう 学がく 者しゃ 御用学者 is a 'hired academic' who serves the interests of the government or corporations, often implying 曲学阿世 behavior.
Etymology A yojijukugo of Chinese origin, combining 曲 (bend/distort), 学 (learning), 阿 (flatter), and 世 (world/times). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the phrase is conventionally associated with the idea of bending one's scholarship to flatter the prevailing powers.
