• The Journal of Korean Philosophical History
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• no.58
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• pp.307-336
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• 2018

This paper traces the historical genealogy of the subjectivity and the silsim (實心, true mind) that appear in Jeong In-Bo's "gukhak" (國學, the national learning) thought and illuminates its characteristics. In the modern East Asian history of thought, the beginning of the emergence of subjectivity and the silsim as the main philosophical topic comes from the Neo-Confucianism of Song Dynasty in China. Cheng Yi is the first thinker to emphasize subjectivity and consciousness. Zhu Xi and Wang Yang-ming inherit the Neo-Confucian thought based on Cheng Yi's principle of subjectivity, but only show difference in methodology. In the Chosun Dynasty, Jeong Je-Doo and his School were one example of the Neo-Confucian spirit of subjectivity and the silsim. Although Jeong In-Bo (鄭寅普) belongs to Jeong Je-Doo's school of Ganghwa in the school curriculum, he has only used it methodologically since he believed that Yangming's learning is more effective in the awareness and practice of the silsim. Especially noteworthy is that the principle of subjectivity led Jeong In-Bo to follow the frame of Zhu Xi's moral theory. Jeong's claim that selfish desire (jasasim 自私心) should be controlled by a conscious mind (silsim) being aware of the right and 'ought to do' corresponds to Zhu Xi's view that the moral mind (dosim 道心) should be selected in the conflict situation between sensual desire (insim 人心) and moral consciousness so that the insim should be supervised by the dosim. Such ethics is a position to emphasize the inner motive and the sense of duty of conduct, and there is no fundamental difference in Zhu Xi and Wang Yang-ming. At least on this point, it is necessary to look at modern and contemporary Korean studies from the perspective of continuity, not discontinuity from Confucian tradition.

• (The)Study of the Eastern Classic
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• no.73
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• pp.327-360
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• 2018

Ryu Seongryong, a Confucian scholar and politician, are two sides of the same coin that cannot be separated from each other. The scholarship of Confucian intellectuals is oriented toward the practice of the managing state and salvation of the world(經國濟世), and the precise study of historical precedent and political scene affects the success or failure of politicians. Ryu was able to become a real savior of Joseon Dynasty in crisis, because he synthesized dialectically both without distinction between theory and field. However, previous studies on Ryu did not pay attention to these points. In this article, I would like to start from the point that Ryu was interested in the Learning of Wang Yangming without being satisfied with the Neo-Confucianism. And I want to emphasize that he had a pragmatic view that was different from the orthodox scholars and that he was able to demonstrate his ability to cope with crisis even when Joseon was hit by the Japanese invasion of 1592. In short, this article seeks to re-examine Ryu's life in terms of pragmatism and realism which pursued a balance between learning and practice.

• Journal of Korean Philosophical Society
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• v.142
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• pp.241-263
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• 2017

The purpose of this paper is to investigate Toegye's simhak in relation to spiritualism. In general, we call Chu Hsi's learning "lihak" (the learning of principle) while Wang Yangming's learning is described as "simhak" (the learning of mind). However, we sometimes call Toegye's learning "simhak" in spite of his respect for Chu Hsi's philosophy of li. Toegye's simhak is different from Wang Yangming's. Nonetheless, Toegye too, highlighted the existential meaning of truth. Toegye regarded simgyung (the book of mind) as one of the most important classics for self-cultivation. As is well known, Toegye's main concern was concentration on mind and heart cultivation. Toegye understood li as a spiritual being, which can actualize itself. The goal of simhak is to become a sage. For a sage, there is no contradiction between moral norm and human desire. To become a sage, Toegye developed the theory and practice of mind cultivation. Toegye's simhak has some common characteristics with Louis Lavelle's philosophy of spiritualism. Both Toegye and Louis Lavelle lay great emphasis on self reflection and spiritual life. In particular, Toegye developed the concrete method of mind cultivation. In the 21st century, human beings are confronted with spiritual crisis in many aspects. Toegye's simhak can be advanced as useful wisdom to keep one's mind in a peaceful and harmonious state.

• (The)Study of the Eastern Classic
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• no.34
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• pp.89-112
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• 2009

Park Se-dang who has the pen name of Seogye is a man in the 17th century. Then, Joseon Dynasty is try to restore the state which became impoverished by two wars. When Sung Confucianism of Chu-tz was dogmatized, Seogye analyzed independently the scriptures and was regarded as a traitor against Sung Confucianism. Therefore, this paper discussed the understanding of Seogye's works and its social reflection through the research data about Seogye. Although Seogye has blue blood in his veins, he belonged to a non-mainstream group in the faction of Seo-in and had a liberal inclination. That he has shuned in the school of Sung Confucianism owed to Sabyeunrok of his work, and its main reason is his criticism against Song Si-yeul. He argued the two principles different from Chu-tz's three principles. Also, he not accepted the Chu-tz's theory and was similar to the Wang Yangming school in the issue of gaining knowledge by the study of things Now to conclude, Seogye outstretched the liberal inclination in Sung Confucianism apart from the interpretation of scriptures. He was not indulged in Sung Confucianism of Chu-tz that was gradually ossifying at that time and took his own line. And he devoted himself to the study of practical learning and the education for younger scholars, and had acted as mediator between the Sung Confucianism of Chu-tz and the Practical Science that was in full bloom in the period of King Young-jo and King Jeong-jo.

• The Journal of Korean Philosophical History
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• no.31
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• pp.347-374
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• 2011

Along with Hujiwara Seika(藤原惺窩), Hayashi Razan(林羅山) is called the founder of the Japanese Confucianism in the Eto(江戶) era. And it is necessary for us to grasp that how Razan understand the theory of I-Ki(理氣論), then we can investigate the characteristics of his thought. In ordinary, people understand that the theory of I-Ki, as a completed view of the world, is integration of the structure of theory of the neo-Confucianism. So a certain thinker's ideological attitude is determined according to how people understand the theory. And then we can grasp the structure of his view of the world and human. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to study how Razan had understanded the I(理) and Ki(氣). In spite of a scholar of Zhu Xi(朱熹), Razan didn't accept Zhu's view of I-Ki, he seem to lean toward the view of Wang Yangmings'(王陽明) in the his early learning days. But that doesn't mean he is a scholar of doctrine of Wang Yangming. When he meets the logical contradiction under the process of investigating the problem of Sein and Sollen, he just only to explain it with logic of Ki(氣) which is closed by mind. Meanwhile if we suppose I(理) is pure goodness and there is no things outside of I(理), if so Razan doubts about that where is the root of evil and he try to investigate the answer. In his latter years, Razan takes Zhu Xi's doctrine again get out of the mental attitude to the view of I-Ki(理氣). The outcome of precedent study about Razan points a fact that Razan needs a little more digging into the ieda of 'Fact and Sollen' which had been the reason of ideal confusion of him. But his ideal confusion is not the point of issue. Point is that Razan had understanded I-Ki(理氣) with monistic of Shim(心) in his early years. As a result, that bring about the outcome which exclude ontological thinking, and had come to grips with aspects of Sollen of all things in understanding of the doctrine of Zhu Xi. And I think that is the clue to understanding of Razan's learning.