• The Journal of Korean Philosophical History
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• no.50
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• pp.363-389
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• 2016

Any moral ideas get integrity upon their practices. Because in human society systems, morality have capability among human interactions, for it gives moral standards(good or bad/ right or wrong) to them. And when the society system is Korean, Koreans surely have developed unique styles of moral practice and moral education in their traditional ages. So reinterpretating and categorizing the moral tradition for taking advantage of it in contemporary context, make sense. In this study, Korean moral tradition is focused in its scope, as 'Confucian moral tradition in semi-modern era'. For convenience of study and the potentials of effective revision, Korean tradition have been resized. In Confucian moral tradition, semi-modern Korean moral ideas could be presented as ren(仁) and yi(義). Furthermore, ren and yi could be practiced with several moral virtues, like xiao(孝), di(弟), ci(慈), zhi(直) qin(勤) gian(儉). When compared with contemporary moral education idea systems, the traditional system can have affinity with the systems in moral ideas division('with-self morality', 'with-others morality', 'with-universe and transcendence morality'). And several fusion-style, integration-based education practices can be developed and applied at contemporary school moral education.

• The Journal of Korean Philosophical History
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• no.36
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• pp.235-258
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• 2013

People say that dichotomous way of thought in the Occident separating human from nature resulted in ecological crisis. Furthermore, it is said that surmounting Occidental way of thought is necessary to heal ecological crisis, and ecological elements in Oriental traditional philosophy could be the alternative for changing anti-ecological disposition inherent in Occidental thought. Although so-called ecology did not exist in Oriental traditional philosophy, there is room for reviewing Oriental traditional philosophy in terms of ecological elements or ecological orientation. In modern society, however, the vitality and significance of ecological elements in Oriental traditional philosophy cannot be conclusively verified. On the other hand, Occidental thought regarded as the main culprit of environmental destruction may not contain anti-ecological contents. Therefore, this study critically reviews the possibility and significance of modern change of ecological thought in Oriental tradition by raising two questions, "Is Occidental view of nature anti-ecological?" and "Is Oriental view of nature ecological?"

• The Journal of Korean Philosophical History
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• no.31
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• pp.143-171
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• 2011

Confucius asserted that the most humane life is to realize the value of 'benevolence(仁) as a human Virtue(德). Mencius also concurred that Confucius's explication of the good life was right. Confucian human mind & it's nature is comprised of benevolence, righteousness(義), propriety(禮) and wisdom(智). Confucianism proposed that we have to approach to other man as benevolence(仁). Mencius discussed about 'Four Virtues(四德)', the essential goodness of human, confirmed by 'Four Clues (四端)' to talk about the possibility of realizing the good life and a good state. On the other hand, he devised Politics of benevolence(仁政)' as a practical tool for it. Confucianism consider a human beings as human relationship. Confucius said, "benevolence(仁) is to love all men, and wisdom to know all men"In generally, Profit(利) is subject to righteousness in Confucianism. Therefore, Confucius said, "When you see Profit, think about Righteousness "But Confucius understands that Profit is ground for the constitution of 'Good life', and 'good State.'In Confucianism, Human Virtue is the root, Wealth is the result. In a State Gain is not to be considered propriety, its propriety will be found in righteousness.

• The Journal of Korean Philosophical History
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• no.30
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• pp.311-344
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• 2010

Over 100 years in Mainland China, the 'traditional' thought and culture have been transformed from 'the past must be sublated' to 'the heritage must be preserved.' Today, China hopes to deal with the negative effects of industrial development such as the gap between rich and poor, and the absence of common values etc. through the reconstruction of traditional thought and culture, especially that of Confucianism. The Chinese government superficially accepts Confucianism for the purpose of the social stabilization and ongoing economic development while they keep the Socialism as the nation's ideological system. In the private sectors, there is endeavoring move to make the Chinese traditional thought and culture global paralleled to their economic growth. There are also scholars who find the cultural unification and the spiritual comfort from the restoration of the traditional thought and culture. They, so called 'the critical successionists' or 'the cultural conservativists,' believe that the traditional thought and culture could play a role in the Chinese modernization, and the new understanding and interpretation of their tradition could provide an alternative for their future. In my view, we need a careful survey on the view of the critical successionists or the cultural conservativists who regard tradition and culture as a power (力量). With this, we are required to investigate our own problems through the new understanding of our traditional thought and culture.

• The Journal of Korean Philosophical History
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• no.23
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• pp.67-97
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• 2008

In this paper, I found the leadership core-value of the Sunbai(선배) a man of refined taste. I studied twelve Sunbai considered as a man of refined taste in this research. I focused on the aspect showing common worth among their various abilities and cultural contributions, a point of view of classifying them into one form called Sunbai a man of refined taste. As the core value is the basis of supporting the individual identity, so the leadership core-value is the source and philosophical base of displaying the leadership. Our Sunbai combining character and knowledge show common structure in their personal growth and showing the leadership. It is that they embodied the stage of cultivating themselves(修身, Self), considering the relation with others(齊家, Relation), leading the organization(治國, Team), and making efforts for and having influence on the community(平天下, Community) throughout their own life. I examined how to display the leadership in the four fields on a case by case basis and then constructed the leadership model of the Sunbai a man of refined taste by synthesizing them. As a result, I considered their leadership core-value as the intercommunication and named it 'Leadership of Muaesabang(無碍四方)'. Also, I confirmed that it is still very valuable in these days of aiming at the open society and the harmony of the diverse civilization.

• The Journal of Korean Philosophical History
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• no.23
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• pp.349-392
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• 2008

Modern Neo-Confucianism was formed as a school by solving the modern problems in China through accepting western philosophies with Chinese basic philosophies since New Cultural Movement. Marxism, Liberalism, and Modern Neo-Confucianism are called three representatives of Chinese modern philosophies. Since the People's Republic of China was founded in 1949, Modern Neo-Confucianists have tried to keep their philosophy and cultural conservatism in Hong Kong and Taiwan. Modern Neo-Confucianism which had been prohibited before 1978 was brought again to people's attention in the middle of 1980s by their active lectures and writings. Furthermore, the study on Modern Neo-Confucianism was supported by the Chinese government in 1987. China was trying to find the way to enhance Chinese tradition and to develop China to a modern society at the same time through the study on Modern Neo-Confucianism. The purpose of Modern Neo-Confucianism is to keep Chinese tradition which was broken off, to develop China to a modern society, to control the problems caused by capitalism socially, and ultimately to strengthen socialism in China in the political aspect. The study on Modern Neo-Confucianism in the 1980s focused on introducing, organizing, and understanding Modern Neo-Confucianism as its early stage. This study was led by Marxists with their methods and viewpoints. Even though the acceptance and understanding of Modern Neo-Confucianism was limited in a short period, the study on Modern Neo-Confucianism in the 1980s propagated Modern Neo-Confucianism. Modern Neo-Confucianism also played an important role to grow the argument about the critical succession of Chinese tradition and to reconsider the fact that modernization does not mean only westernization.

• The Journal of Korean Philosophical History
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• no.31
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• pp.263-287
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• 2011

Li-Gu was a Confucianist who criticized traditional 'attend to Righteousness and neglect Profit' idea and insisted that people affirmed 'Proprietiy' and 'Interest', which accorded with human nature and desire. He said that 'Proprieties' was made by adjusting one's material life and natural desire. Therefore, if we want 'Propriety' is manifested itself, we must affirm and satisfy the material life and natural desire first. He asserted that if we didn't follow this, the people's life would be devastated and the nation would face a big crisis. Li-Gu's thought not only gave Wang An Suk's Reformation a theoretical basics, but also attached the new and reformist meanings to 'Propriety', which had been changing meaningless and abstract, by criticizing Songming Confucian School and put great stress on uniting the inside and outside. In this article, through examining Li-Gu's the idea of Righteousness and Profit, King and Ruler, Inside and Outside, we can consider what the real 'Propriety' is and what kind of practical meaning 'Propriety' has.

• The Journal of Korean Philosophical History
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• no.59
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• pp.313-342
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• 2018

Gubong Song Ik-pil could not behave according to his aspiration directly due to restrictions in his social standing. Despite that, he actually did so indirectly through either close friends or younger students by exhibiting 'cheobyeonwigwon (處變爲權) with the goal of jichijuui (至治主義). He insisted on people-oriented politics grounded on cheonmyeongsasang (天命思想) and also suggested the humbleness of the royal family and jinhyulchaek (賑恤策) based on love of the people. In addition, he promoted public welfare and stability to enhance patriotism and also insisted on the policy of strengthening national defense with seoeolgongsacheon (庶?公私賤)'s provision of military service through the enforcement of yangcheonjongbujongmobeop (良賤從父從母法). Also, according to the letter sent to Lee San-bo, he suggested public service ethics, for instance, personally, getting rid of ulterior motives, exhibiting diligence, integrity, and wisdom, and doing one's utmost to handle tasks fairly without causing any problems and externally, being actively involved in managing and utilizing persons of ability and also relieving the poor and managing masters as well. In brief, we can assume that Song Ik-pil's thought of statecraft (經世思想) is the concrete methodology to reach the politics of kingcraft called 'jichi (至治)' by stabilizing public welfare grounded on benevolent and benign administration. He is often compared to Jegalryang on account of his innate qualities and cleverness. He was equipped with the excellent capacity of gyeongse even referred to as the moju (謀主) of four persons, Yi Yi, Seong Hon, Jeong Cheol, and Lee Gwi, and harshly criticized as a slick evil (奸鬼), too. His gyeongsesasang, however, ended up being incomplete due to restrictions in his social status. He was a person who loved the people more than anyone else, kept suggesting innovative reform plans to stabilize the people's lives, and was capable of practicing them all. His ideal of jichi was left unfulfilled, however.

• The Journal of Korean Philosophical History
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• no.27
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• pp.7-37
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• 2009

This paper handled the problem of 'the mind' suggested by Bojo-Jinul. On the whole, I explained three fields, Jinul's way to approach 'the mind', the theory of the nature and the theory of practice and enlightenment. This paper is based on the established research papers. However the part that I explained the 'no-mind' in the theory of the nature is different from the established researchers. It is the emphasized part to interefere with Kanhwa Meditation. In this part, I explained Bojo's way to approach 'the mind' in the viewpoint of Sujeungnon(the theory of practice and enlightenment). And I clarified that his thought had been showed in his work and his system of thought is composed of Donojeomsuron(the theory of sudden enlightenment and gradual cultivation) and Kanhwa-Seon(Kanhwa-meditation). It is the theory of the nature that we handles 'the problem' philosophically. So I studied the examples of the nature and then I researched 'Kongjeokyeongjisim(the mind of the light of the divine wisdom in the void)', the foundation of 'Donojeomsu(the sudden enlightenment and gradual cultivation)' and 'Musim (no-mind)', the foundation of Kanhwaron. Finally, I inquired into 'Donojeomsuron(the theory of sudden enlightenment and gradual cultivation)' and 'Kanhwaron(Kanhwa-Meditation)' as 'Sujeungron(the theory of practice and enlightenment)'.

• The Journal of Korean Philosophical History
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• no.27
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• pp.327-361
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• 2009

So far there has been a strong tendency to study The Great Learning in terms of quite" limited ethical and moral understandings." Yet The Great Learning was originally a political text to educate the ruler. So the ethical and moral understanding discussed in the book should be interpreted as something more comprehensive and practical, which includes the political ability. This paper thus focuses on this new line of understanding of The Great Learning. Among the three principles of the book, 'Myeongmyeongdeok( 明明德)' means the virtue of a politician, that is to 'cultivate (Myeong)' the 'properties for a statesman (Myeongdeok).' 'Sinmin (新民)' means 'to innovate or reform the people as a result of substantive administration of a politician'. 'Jieojiseon (止於至善)' means 'to reach and to maintain the highest degree of goodness as a result of Myeongmyeongdeok and Sinmin'. These three principles would divide into eight practicums. Myeongmyeongdeok would divide into five steps of 'Sugi(修己: Cultivating the self)' practicum, which are 'Gyeokmul (格物) → Chiji(致知) → Seongeui(誠意)→ Jeongsim (正心)→ Susin (修身)'. Sinmin would divide into three steps of 'Chiin (治人: rule the people)' practicum which are 'Jega(齊家) → Chiguk(治國) → Pyeongcheonha(平天下).' And the point where the two practicums are harmonized, i.e. that of Sugichiin (修己治人), is the place of Jieojiseon. Not every ethical people become a politician but every politician must be ethical. That is the assertion of the Great Learning.