• The Journal of Korean Philosophical History
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• no.25
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• pp.355-379
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• 2009

According to the estimations in historical books and research achievements which have been produced, Ji-kang was a prominent Taoist in the Wei-Jin dynasty. But some philosophers, on their opinions, regard Ji-kang as a scholar who withdrawal from ordinary life in the real society. In this sense, this article investigates the Ji-kang's perspective of the life in seclusion, in particular, by analysing the letter to Shan Ju-yuan in breaking off relations與山居源絶交書. The purpose of this thesis is to clarify Ji-kang's the ideal of life, by discussing the reaction to the realistic society, the reflection on the confused society and the change into the new ideal of life of Ji-kang. Ji-kang's the ideal of life in the letter to Shan Ju-yuan in breaking off relations與山居源絶交書 have the following characteristics: First, he has pursued to participate in the real society by passive and immediate way, but he realized how difficult his ideal comes true. Thus, he seek the new ideal of life, hermit. Second, according to the view of hermit in the ancient Chinese tradition, his view of hermit implicates the change in his ideological tendency from the hermit of Confucianism and Taoism to the hermit of Taoism. Third, he tried whatever methods that were passive and seclusive to participate in the real society, but he isn't a common idealist. In this way, Ji-kang applied these thought of the social life and the ideal of life to the philosophy of living.

• The Journal of Korean Philosophical History
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• no.52
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• pp.365-392
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• 2017

In the present life of us, the challenges, we face essentially, relate to human quality and personality. It is a fact that can be easily understood through a situation of present education and the law. The research in the eastern philosophy of the 'personality' has been handled in regard to Yangmingxue, but a practical principle of education can be also found in an aspect of Zhuzixue indeed. That is Zhu'zi's study of 'gaining knowledge by the study of things' which was criticized by Yangming. This paper is to examine that with 'gaining knowledge by the study of things', which is known as study of 'zhi', we can find the practical principle which is applied to the education of personality. This research is to examine the relationship between 'Zundexing(尊德性)' and 'Daowenxue(道問學)' which are characters of cultivating study of Zhuzixue and the characteristics of the study of Zhu'zi by examining 'gaining knowledge by the study of things', the main method of 'Daowenzue'. This study, then, to show the meaning of study of 'gaining knowledge by the study of things' exploring prncan appropriate education of personality in this time drawing practical principle which can be applied to education of personality through the process and principle of 'taking the objective principles(格物)' and 'achieving morl self-Congnition(致知)'. Then, through the process and principles of 'taking the objective principles' and 'achieving morl self-Congnition ', this paper explore factors of the education of personality and the principles that can be applied in the education field, so as to reveal the significance of studying 'gaining knowledge by the study of things' in terms of the education of personality for this age.

• 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.7-42
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• 2013

This article is on the introduction and origin of Korean Neo-Confucianism. In this article, it is verified and clarified that a scholar named Jeong, Sin-bo (鄭臣保) from Southern Song settled on today's Seosan Ganwoldo (看月島) in the year of 1237 (24th year of the king Gojong in Korean Dynasty) and he introduced the Neo-Confucianism both by Jeong, Myung-do (程明道) and Jeong, Yi-cheon (程伊川) who are also called Double Jeong to Korean scholars. Based on these facts, it overturns the history that Anhyang (安珦) first introduced Neo-Confucianism to Korean Dynasty in the year of 1290 even with 35 years ahead. When this gains official approval by the academia, the history of Neo-Confucianism seems to be rewritten. This article first examines changes in history of Korean Neo-Confucianism with three stages and then concentrates on the life of Jeong, Sin-bo. It presents that Jeong, Sin-bo was a descendant of a Southern Song's noble family named Pogang Jeong (浦江鄭氏) and he committed to Chunqiu thoughts (春秋思想) and spirit of loyalty (義理精神) naturally as the posterity of Pogang Jeong. Lastly, it also infers the transmission of Jeong, Sin-bo's scholastic mantle and his influence on the posterity.

• 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.