• Journal of Korean Philosophical Society
• /
• v.141
• /
• pp.203-224
• /
• 2017

In Laozi Tao(道) is not only the universal law of all existence but the eternal law of morality. In Laozi Tao as the eternal law of morality is the absolute criteria of value-judgement. In this respect in Laozi Tao is the perfect value or the absolute criteria of value-judgement. And so someone can evaluate Laozi's perspective on the theory of value is value-absolutism. Nonetheless, Laozi allows all theories of value in Laozi. Laozi's thought on the value is indifferent to what kind of value one has. But Laozi's ideal of the theory of value is value-universalism through Tao as the absolute criteria of value-judgement. So in Laozi the perspective on value is the universalization of value-absolutism. In Laozi, the medium of value-universalism is being of Sage(聖人) and all human's inpersonation of Teh(德). If this two conditions fulfilled, all human beings can reach the state of "subtle identification(玄同)" and can be sages, and value-universalism take the form of valuelessism.

• Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
• /
• v.20
• /
• pp.273-315
• /
• 2009

The purpose of this study is to examine the mutual similarities between DaesoonJinri(大巡眞理) and Taoism thought as well as the thought mechanism of DaesoonJinri based on contents of the four tenets of DaesoonJinri (EumYangHapDeok(陰陽合德), SinInJoHwa(神人調化), HaeWonSangSaeng(解冤相生), DoTongJinGyeong(道通眞境)). DaesoonJinri attached a lot of importance to Taoism among traditional thought such as Confucianism, Buddhism, Taoism. This study will check out the clues from the major texts of Taoism. To do this, this study kept an aye on the Taoism texts such as Laozi, Zhuangzi, Taipingjing, etc. The significant implication of this study is only contextual similarities between DaesoonJinri and Taoism Philosophy. Therefore, this study will provide the preliminary data to researcher searching for the directly ideological contact point between DaesoonJinri and Taoism thought.

• The Journal of Korean Philosophical History
• /
• no.38
• /
• pp.7-38
• /
• 2013

From the philosophy of Laozi, we can infer the two types of the individuals, such as Youwei individual and Wuwei individual. The Youwei individual characterizes its expandibility, which appears as an aggressive character, and the society where this has set in is a false society. The Wuwei individual discards a false power and authority, concentrates on its realities and life, and further restricts its rights in a voluntary way. Their behavioral pattern like this allows the other party to secure an autonomous space and ensures that he or she can live a full life in person. The society these Wuwei individuals have formed through their own relationships is Xuantong Society. The Xuantong Society proposed by Laozi restricts individual rights, but it rather guarantees individual's autonomy, life and happiness, and suggests an individual-community model in which common good is created endlessly even though it does not establish the common good. This is very different from the points of view which guarantees individual rights and at the same time attempt to realize the common good together.

• Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
• /
• v.32
• /
• pp.77-108
• /
• 2019

The purpose of this paper is to clarify the characteristics of 'Podeok' in Daesoon Jinrihoe. The term Podeok can cause some misunderstanding as the same word Deok (德 virtue) has long been used in the Eastern Tradition. In other words, for most people who are used to traditional thought, Podeok may be conflated with the similar word 'Deok (virtue)' as used within Confucianism. People who are familiar with Confucian culture might thereby misunderstand the term Podeok as an aspect of Confucian moral ethics, or they could misconstrue Daesoon Jinrihoe as having appropriated and misused Confucian ideas. Furthermore, there are other problems that could arise if people compare Daesoon Jinrihoe's 'Podeok' with 'Deok (virtue)' as used by Laozi. While Deok in Laozi's usage represents the ability of an individual who can exercise his or her rationality with excellence, Deok in Daesoon Jinrihoe indicates the idea of actualizing Mutual Beneficence and the conditions that enable Mutual Beneficence. If one understands Deok as used by Laozi to contain the meaning of Mutual Beneficence, then it is possible to think that the two tradition share a similar meaning of Deok as Podeok in Daesoon Jinrihoe pursues Mutual Beneficence as its ultimate value. In order to preemptively correct these misunderstandings, I need to clarify how the idea of Deok was born out of traditional thought and what meanings it embodies. Additionally, it is necessary to examine how it became meaningful in Confucianism, and how it was criticized and ascribed new meanings in Laozi's thought. Through these clarification, it will become clear that Deok originally indicated a religious ritual that the king of the Zhou Dynasty performed after receiving the heavenly mandate and assuming rule over the nation. Later, this idea was transformed into a moral virtue and norm by Confucius. This moral virtue and norm was criticized by Laozi as an unnatural form of control as it was understood by Laozi as a teleological argument justifying whether or not lives were to be saved or sustained based on the perceived merits of each individual. On the contrary, Deok in Daesoon Jinrihoe and traditional thought stand on a totally different theological bases. Deok in Daesoon Jinrihoe is a means to practice and realize the truth of the earthly paradise of the Later World and the truth of Mutual Beneficence which were posited to the world through Kang Jeungsan's Works of Haewon (grievance resolution) that resolved the pattern of mutual conflict that characterized the Former World. Therefore, the idea of Podeok in Daesoon Jinrihoe gains completion only on the premises of Haewon Sangsaeng (resolution of grievances for mutual beneficence) and Boeun Sangsaeng (reciprocation of favors for mutual beneficence), and the way to practice Podeok is to practice Haewon Sangsaeng and Boeun Sangsaeng. In addition, the subordinate virtues such as loyalty, filial piety, and faithfulness that exist within Daesoon Jinrihoe's religious practice are not same as those of traditional thought. They are new concepts of virtues drawn from the cosmological laws of Daesoon Jinrihoe. To be specific, the virtues of Daesoon Jinrihoe are not rules that create discrimination and mutual conflict, but are instead ethical rules established upon the basis of Heaven and Earth having been newly organized, and thus, they will bring virtuous concordance, harmonious union, and mutual beneficence. The idea of 'Podeok' in Daesoon Jinrihoe can be understood as a religious practice that requires doctrinal understanding and tangible practice in daily life of followers. In other words, it is not the same Deok of earlier traditional thought in East Asia, but is instead a religious truth by which practitioners realize the truth of Sangje's Works of Haewon in human world as they practice Haewon Sangsaeng and Boeun Sangsaeng.

• The Journal of Korean Philosophical History
• /
• no.39
• /
• pp.169-194
• /
• 2013

The Wenzi is the material criticized about the relation bamboo-slip literature and current literatures in the academic world. If is true or not, because we don't know the author and the records accurately. In this study, to sublate the researching method of HuangLao philosophy that vogues the boundary between Zajia, on the basis of volumes with bamboo-slip literature and the present literatures shared, I discuss the peculiarity of Wenzi HuangLao philosophy, comparing Dao-theory of Daoist. The Wenzi is HuangLao philosophy of Rujia pattern that doesn't understand as the Dao-Fa school. And its origin is Laozi philosophy. It accepts Zujia philosophy, putting first in importance about Rujia philosophy. In this study, the origin of the Wenzi is Laozi philosophy theoretically, but I discuss that the Wenzi is the early literature forming Rujia pattern HuangLao philosophy. And the Wenzi tries to combine the theory of Rujia in the social political category.

• The Journal of Korean Philosophical History
• /
• no.23
• /
• pp.295-316
• /
• 2008

This is to study the military philosophy of Wangzhen's Commentary on Daodejing written by a famous military officer in the end of Tang Dynasty, Wangzhen. Historically, many scholars consider Laozi's Daodejing as a book on military science. Wangzhen, however, is the only person to interpret Daodejing genealogically from a military perspective. Wangzhen thinks that the fact that human beings like competing naturally causes the constant competition in the world. Human beings are born with the most outstanding spirit among all beings. But, when God created human beings, they had greed and avarice in the middle of their heart. Accordingly, human beings look for a success and a profit, and follow the wicked way, leaving the right way. The contractions among each greed and avarice bring about small or big competitions. Human beings have greed and avarice. It means human beings have emotions. As a result, the competitions in the world are not able to disappear because human beings have emotions. To win the completion human beings use weapons. According to Wangzhen, the war is the most devilish deed due to the weapon's atrocious, dangerous quality. Yet, the world's interests are decided by how efficiently the weapons are used. Consequently, the weapon techniques are worthy and play an important role in the real world. Morality, however, should be in the first priority in ruling over a country and commanding the army. The national security and the war victory could be secured when civil and military affairs have a balance. Wangzhen thinks that Laozi emphasizes "Not-Competing" as a basic solution of competition. The competition is the root cause of war and disorder. Therefore, Not-Competing is the main idea of Daodejing. Not-Competiting is a basis of Wangzhen's military philosophy as well. For Wangzhen, Not-Competing is Wuwei. Wuwei has political and military meanings at the same time. Wangzhen build up the "Not-Competing" military philosophy by applying Loazi's Daodejing to his military philosophy.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
• /
• v.11 no.11
• /
• pp.135-145
• /
• 2020

In the era of the fourth industrial revolution, design has developed into a fusion of diversified culture and media. The integration of traditional culture and brand design concepts has become a hot research topic. Chinese Zen thought integrates the thoughts of Laozi and Zhuangzi, and takes" Wu Xiang as the appearance, Wu Nian as the foundation, Wu Zhu as the purpose" as the main purpose to construct a unique Zen thought system that integrates Taoism, Confucian philosophy and aesthetics. From this point of view, the MUJI design that combines Chinese Zen thought and design has attracted much attention. As a traditional culture, how is Chinese Zen Thought reflected in the design of MUJI? Starting from the awareness of this question, this study takes the daily necessities of MUJI as an example to investigate the design features of MUJI that reflect Chinese Zen thought. The conclusion shows that the design features of MUJI with Chinese Zen thoughts are showed in four ways-minimalist style, unitary color, ecological material, and humanized experience.

• The Journal of Korean Philosophical History
• /
• no.42
• /
• pp.71-103
• /
• 2014

Park Se-dang (朴世堂, 1629-1703) is a figure rebuked as a "disturbing enemy of the Confucian canon" (斯文亂賊), having composed the Namhwagyeong Joohaesanbo (南華經註解刪補), the sole commentary on every chapter of the Zhuangzi (莊子) in Joseon Dynasty. This article purports to articulate the significance of Park Se-dang's composition of the Namhwagyeong Joohaesanbo within Joseon Dynasty in the 17th century, through the comparison between him and Zhu Xi (朱熹, 1130-1200), the founder of Neo-Confucianism, the mainstream ideology of Joseon Dynasty, in their recognition of the Zhuangzi. Since Neo-Confucianism attained an absolute status as the canonical doctrine in Joseon Dynasty, the other thoughts, including the thoughts of the Laozi and the Zhuangzi, could not be discussed without their relationship with it. Park Se-dang's recognition of the Zhuangzi does not deviate far from Zhu Xi's recognition of it. While his composition of the Namhwagyeong Joohaesanbo might be said to have inherited and deepened Zhu Xi's recognition, it can also be seen as an attempt to escape from Neo-Confucianism in some aspects. Due to this complication, when the faction of the Noron (老論, a faction separated from the Seoin in the Joseon Dynasty, the hard-liners) rebuked him as a "disturbing enemy of the Confucian canon," they did not mention neither his Shinjoo Dodeokgyeong (新註道德經, New Commentary on the Laozi) nor his Namhwagyeong Joohaesanbo. In his Namhwagyeong Joohaesanbo, Park Se-dang does not think that the Zhuangzi is in diametrical opposition to Confucian thoughts. Firstly, he emphasizes that Zhuangzi faces the actual world with ultimately positive concern, though from a critical perspective. Secondly, he seeks common grounds between the thoughts of Zhuangzi and Confucians, proving that Zhuangzi emphasizes human relationships between father and son or between king and subject. Thirdly, he illuminates Zhuangzi's theory of human nature from a new perspective in order to reestablish Confucian theory of human nature. Fourthly, he attempts to apply Zhuangzi's thoughts in order to overcome contemporary consumptive political feuds, including the splits of political factions or the disputes about ritual proprieties (禮訟論爭). Park Se-dang's composition of Shinjoo Dodeokgyeong and Namhwagyeong Joohaesanbo was a complementary measure for Confucianism, his proper mainstay being Confucianism. He attempted to escape, not from Confucianism itself, but from the absolutism of Neo-Confucianism. In the 17th century Joseon Dynasty, when Neo-Confucianism was becoming dogmatized and absolutized as a canonical doctrine and a dominant ideology, Park Se-dang's composition of Namhwagyeong Joohaesanbo was a very innovative attempt, which shows that he established himself as a pioneer to escape Neo-Confucianism, having consolidated his own unique and progressive academic province, differentiating himself from traditional Confucian scholars in his objective.

• The Journal of Korean Philosophical History
• /
• no.36
• /
• pp.259-291
• /
• 2013

This article is to study the purpose and significance of Chongyoulun of Peiwei, and it is composed of the two parts of philosophy and critical mind. The critical mind on Chongyoulun is as follows: first, it is mis-interpretative to define the main thought of Laozi as Xuwu. Next, the old philosophers did not criticize Xuwuism properly; as a result, they failed to stop spreading Xuwuism. Last, Guiwulun brought about the disorder of the way of life and the collapse of the public order. Based on this critical mind, Peiwei built up the following philosophy based on You as the fundamental principle of the existence and the movement of universal nature. First, Tao is the combined Wanyou, not abstract substance which is outside of Wanyou. Second, Wu is the state of being without You, and You only comes from You. Third, You can survive depending on external You because You is not the independent substance. Therefore, understanding the external You is the main factor of its existence. Fourth, Wanyou do not harm each other as they get together since Wanyous are interdependent. People are the being who can live through the mutual dependent relationships; hence, social system and morals (ethics) are key factors of the world in the oncological point of view. Wanyou had tried to rebuild the corrupted way of life and public order by recovering the justification of moral orders based on the mutual dependence of Wanyou which is the substance character.

• The Journal of Korean Philosophical History
• /
• no.38
• /
• pp.221-249
• /
• 2013

This paper aims to examine the meaning of 'Xuan(玄)' in the cosmogony, especially in the view of Yang-xiong(揚雄) and Ge-hong(葛洪). The concept 'Xuan' is thought to have originated in the XianQin text Laozi & Zhouyi. After the XianQin period, this concept has been defined as philosophical concept, and it has a variety of meanings. This paper discussed about the cause of creation, the differentiation process, and the existence principle, within the cosmogony of Yang-xiong & Ge-hong. First, the cause of creation in the Yang-xiong is efficient cause in the state of the elementary substance, but also is the principle that is applied to the phase of the creation. While the cause of creation in the Ge-hong is comprised of the cause of the creation and the existence principle. Thus, the meaning of the concept 'Xuan' in the both scholar is different from the matter monism. Second, the concept 'Xuan' in the both scholar contains the tendency of cosmogony and ontology. Yang-xiong maintains the cosmogony, but he also hold on the rudimentary view of ontology. While Ge-hong display a tendency of ontology. Third, Ge-hong accepted the view of Yang-xiong and he developed the meaning of the existence principle. And finally, the concept 'Xuan' in the both scholar forms a philosophical system. Yang-xiong insisted that the concept 'Xuan' is the basis of the universe, the human-being and the society. While through realizing the concept 'Xuan', Ge-hong tried to pursue the human-being's agelessness and the eternal life.