• The Journal of Korean Philosophical History
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• no.58
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• pp.65-96
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• 2018

Modern and contemporary humanities and social sciences supported the freedom and abundance of people. Today, however, freedom and abundance do not support human dignity, and are not sustainable. Therefore, we must reflect again on the direction of today's life and civilization. As part of this project, this essay analyzes the modern and contemporary humanities and social sciences and examines the meaning of Korean traditional thoughts. The lines presented to us by Korean traditional thought can be summed up 'the Three Elements of the Universe(Heaven, Earth and Man)' and 'Perfect Harmony between the Soul and the Body' and 'true humanitarianism.' These lines can be a starting point to overcome the problems posed by the lines of freedom and abundance in two contexts : First, while the lines of freedom and abundance today were biased toward the elements of the Earth or the Body, the traditional Korean thoughts have been both elements of the Heaven and the Soul since the beginning, which can therefore serve as a true humanitarian. Second, the true humanitarian line is as much sustainable as it criticizes the uncontrolled freedom and abundance, and seeks the right moderation to become a man of dignity.

• The Journal of Korean Philosophical History
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• no.50
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• pp.333-361
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• 2016

The purpose of this study is to delve into reinterpretation and categorization of normative meaning of tradition. The normative meaning of tradition which plays a key role of the action-guiding power is the main source of morality. According to ecological cultural approach to diachronic transition of traditional value, traditional value leads its dynamic life: its origin, acculturation, transformation, distortion of traditional value depending upon periodic social change. It is necessary for traditional value to be reinterpreted and categorized, with a view to contributing to attribute & competency of democratic citizen in future society. The normative meaning of traditional value applicable for Korea's future society can be reinterpreted from its origin revealed in the classic. The order of discussion in this paper runs as follows. Firstly, we will investigate into dynamic change of the traditional value on the basis of the ecological cultural perspective and seek the possibility of modern reinterpretation of loyalty & filial piety as representative traditional value. Finally, we will treat the categorization and its significance of traditional value in the frame of Korean value including both western value and Korean traditional value.

• The Journal of Korean Philosophical History
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• no.28
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• pp.213-235
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• 2010

This paper examines the studies and its tendency on Japanese Confucianism Research from 2007 to 2009 in Korea. In recent years, Japanese confucianism studies in Japan, China and Taiwan have been introduced to the academic society of Korea. And many scholars who major in Japanese thought have been invited to Korea and published the results of their research in Korea. Also, there have been researchers who obtained the degrees of Doctor or Master by researching Japanese thought. This paper, lastly, introduced the papers on the Japanese confucianism which were published in Korea during the recent 3 years. If we evaluate all the trend in researching Japanese confucianism in Korea, it can be said that it is still in the early stages. Recently, however a small but significant advance has been acquired. In conclusion, we can expect the future of the Japanese confucianism studies in Korea.

• 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.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.52
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• pp.9-35
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• 2017

This article is to study the life and philosophy of Jonjae Gidaeseung, who was at strife with his days and did not negotiate with himself, with focus on two concepts of buron(不穩, unrest) and 'sympathy'. It is the fact that to study the traditional philosopher is likely to be enlightening. In order to prevent the risk, we need to define first the concept of unrest as including anxiety to critical resistance. Also, I would like to propose the concept of sympathy in order to grasp the function of his mind which judges whether his feelings and actions are valid from an emotional horizon of unrest. Methodologically this article is to adopt a transversal and correlative thinking by combining an east Asian Confucian traditional concept unrest with a modern one space. It is because this research is to show a significant meaning when we study highlighted and hidden layers of our life and politics in 'now-here' and the 'between space' even though this transversal and correlative study shows the horizon of his life. This article is to investigate how a case is structured by occurrences and divergences and reinterpret a meaning from an emotional horizon. This process is done centering on two terms Guchatuan(pursuing ease ignobly), and Suwolbingho(moon reflected in the water and ice in a bottle), which is the source of Bingwoldang. The two terms were used by Jonjae himself. The latter shows an opposite meaning from the first and is accordingly a way by which we can look into his life and days. My research of Jonjae's life and politics from the emotional-philosophical level is original in that it reveals emotional traces beyond his philosophical ideas which previous studies did not show. In this article, I showed that Gobong was ambitious and resolute, and definite in his judgment and therefore was not good at controlling his uprightness. Also he was too straightforward to purify a language. His unrest characters made him conflict with old ministers and high ranking officials and therefore they avoided him even thought he was excellent in writing and learning and talented. He was oriented toward living by goodness and right Ways, which is summed up as Gisesa(vague movement, situational advantage, and death).

• The Journal of Korean Philosophical History
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• no.39
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• pp.7-27
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• 2013

T'oegye placed great emphasis on the cultivation of quiet-sitting. His idea of quiet-sitting, like Zhu Xi's, had various therapeutic effects as well. This can be highlighted as a real-life practice and a diverse application of the "abiding by Gyong" that he stressed; it is also associated with the treatment of physical diseases, composure in the mind, the benefits of reading, meditation in solitude, and many other areas. And We can easily infer that T'oegye would have set some premises before referring to Hualin Simbang. First, he would have been wary of quiet-sitting being the goal of cultivation: Too much obsession with and emphasis on Toinsul would actually obstruct the practice of "abiding by Gyong" and mislead one's effort for the "preservation and nourishment of the mind" and "reflection and examination." T'oegye would have probably used the physical and breathing exercises in Hualyin Simbang mainly as a reference to treat his physical illnesses. Also, his Toinsul would have been employed independently and partially as a sort of supplementary practice-without being used in parallel with quiet-sitting as one of the methods to achieve reverent seriousness.

• The Journal of Korean Philosophical History
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• no.42
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• pp.9-37
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• 2014

This article is to review academic aspects of Iljae Lee Hang through Toegye Lee Hwang's comments. Iljae Lee Hang (一齋 李恒: 1499~1576) is a representative Neo-Confucian scholar in Honam area in 16th century. His Sung Confucianism was known to Toegye Lee Hwang by Gobong Gi Dae Seung and consequentially received attention from academic world. Lee Hang's Sung Confucianism, however, has hardly drawn attention since 17th century due to Lee Hwang's negative assessment. Impeaching Lee Hang's academic attitude and methods, Lee Hwang evaluated him as having many problems. Lee Hwang criticized that Lee Hang studied Neo-Confucianism with no great effort and he was so much confident to say 'Logic of the world does not deviate from this' based on Chengzi and Zhuzi's saying which was only appealing to his ideas. Lee Hang actually cited theories of Chengzi and Zhuzi and stressed self-complacency when necessary, which therefore made him fail to exhibit consistency. Iljae partly brought Lee Hwang's criticism upon himself. Lee Hwang's negative assessment is not to be literally accepted but his assessment is helpful indeed to critically examine Lee Hang's Neo-Confucianism.

• The Journal of Korean Philosophical History
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• no.50
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• pp.139-169
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• 2016

Nakron School of the ruling Noron Party in late Joseon Dynasty was at the helm of state with Neo-Confucian ideology and it came out of being obsessed with conventional 'spiritual' aspects and changed both political and academic atmosphere with interests in 'matters.' The power leading such a change was scholars in Seoksil Seowon (石室書院) which centered around Kim Won-Haeng (金元行). However, except for few progressive scholars-Bukhak scholars (北學論者), most of Nakron scholars secretly acknowledged the actuality of Qing Dynasty but they failed to get out of old Neo-Confucian traditions. It was difficult for them to accept Bukhak theory which jeopardized the existence of administration. They sought plans both to keep Neo-Confucian traditions and Sinocentrism in Joseon and to reach the cultural level of Qing Dynasty and in that process, they recognized restoration of the statecraft study (經世學) summarized on Seongridaejeon as an alternative. Hwang Yun-Seok is a representative Neo-Confucian scholar in such response of Nakron. He rediscovered value of the science of xiangshu in the Neo-Confucian category and highlighted importance of Seongridaejeon yet again.

• The Journal of Korean Philosophical History
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• no.38
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• pp.97-128
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• 2013

Originally confucianism is closer to communitarianism than to individualism. The ideal of confucianism is to realize ethical community. Chu Hsi's theory of the Song dynasty reestablishes the ideal of ethical community and dignitaries(士大夫) take the job to realize it as their own vocation. There are many developed 'family clans and kinsfolk societies', 'local covenants and sacred storehouses' and 'private academies' in the Chosun dynasty as in the Song dynasty. These communities are three kinds of axial confucian community, which are both natural ascriptive groups and voluntary contract groups in nature. Communities of Chosun dynasty are to strengthen the solidarity through friendship and mutual help as well as to cultivate good customs in society. Also these traditional communities are managed by democratic procedures, as these are originally voluntary contract groups. On the other hand, traditional neo-confucian self-training theories like that individual personality should be harmony with general order, or one should pursuit his private interest according to fair principles are the process of sublimation private individual into public citizen.