• The Journal of Korean Philosophical History
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• no.57
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• pp.31-55
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• 2018

Professor Dowon (道原) Lew, Seung-Kook (柳承國: 1923~2011) was a master of Eastern philosophy in Korea, in the 20th century. 'Confucianism' was the root of his discipline. Nevertheless he studied extensively throughout Eastern philosophy. He was also a pioneer of 'Korean Philosophy', who devoted himself to 'establishing the original form (原型) of Korean thought'. Professor Lew showed a unique view on how Confucian thought was formed. He has done many years of precise comparative analysis of the results of archaeological studies before 1970, particularly the study of bone-and-shell inions, and what was said in previous literature. As a result, he concluded that "we cannot discuss the origins of Confucian thought by separating the relationship with the Dongyi tribe". Confucianism was formed in relation to Dongyi. The purpose of his attention to the Dongyi tribe - RenFang tribe (人方族) was not to examine Dongyi tribe and its culture. His purpose was to examine how Confucian thought was formed and to examine the relevance of Dongyi tribe in this process. This was in conjunction with the task of exploring 'the original form of Korean thought', whether he pretended or not. Professor Lew, Seung-Kook's theory differed not only from the conventional view of the academic world in his time but also from the conventional view up to now. It is a pity that it was not yet discussed it in the academic world. I consider that it is necessary to seriously review Professor Lew and Seung-Kook's theory at this point when China has outlined the Northeast project (東北工程).

• The Journal of Korean Philosophical History
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• no.50
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• pp.201-234
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• 2016

This thesis examined interpreting methodology of Do Won Lew Seung Kug(1923~2011) is based on the principle of Juhng-yaug. His lifelong academic aim was searching for the theory that enables global community to co-exist peacefully through humanitarianism that leads to reconciliation and mutual benefits. The research of the history of Korean thoughts provided him with the clue for his theory. According to Do Won, Korean thoughts pursue the Juhng-yaug's value of 'Yin and Yang accordance' rather than the I-Ching's value of 'suppress Yin and elevate Yang'. He furthermore asserts the concept of the middle (中), which harmonizes the two extremes by human beings as main agents, has been consistently observed from the action of divination during the ancient period through Juhng-yaug in the late 19th century. Do Won identifies 'human maturity that integrates the extremely conflicting insistences and values and seeks to be reconciled' as the basic character of Korean thoughts. He explains 'Hongikingan[弘益人間, becoming beneficial to the human world] is the idea that embraces the conflicting values symbolized by heaven and the earth. He also illuminates that Choe Chi Won(崔致遠)'s created Poongliu Do by integrating heterogeneity among Confucianism, Buddhim, and Daoism and it was attainable through the various works of mature human beings. Both Toe Gye' s philosophy of Ingeuk(人極, the Great Ultimate of Person) and the concept of Innaecheon(人乃天, Human Being right is Heaven) of Donghak are excellent examples of Humanitarianism that sublate two extremes. In Korea, the prototype of this thought has penetrated its entire history in the various circumstances of the period. The grand finale is Juhng-yaug of which the pursued values are 'Yin and Yang accordance' and mature humanitarianism revealed by the thoughts of the Person of the Central Ultimate (皇極人,至人) and Central Ultimate (皇極). Therefore, Humanitarianism in Korean thoughts clearly makes its appearance by the time of Juhng-yaug and it functions as a keyword to illuminate the entire history of Korean thoughts in reverse.