• The Journal of Korean Philosophical History
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• no.41
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• pp.9-38
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• 2014

Hanhweon-dang Kim Goeng-pil(1454~1504) sublimated ethics whose lead was opened up by Jeong Mong-ju in late Goryeo as one scholarly tendency. Kim Goeng-pil was called 'the father of ethics in Joseon' and has been respected as a model of ethicist for 400 years since then. Following Kim Goeng-pil, Confucian scholars of Joseon cultivated perseverance through Xiaoxue and the perseverance was sublimated to Confucian scholars' energy and then that of state, which served as driving force to keep the national legacy. Kim Goeng-pil suggested how to study with Xiaoxue and sought moral human beings and ethically ideal societies based on strong practicability which is required in Xiaoxue. Individuals' cultivation and social reform are not at a different dimension. Spirit of 'self-cultivation' that Kim Goeng-pil himself demonstrated advanced to pursuit of ethical, ideal state when reaching a level of Jo Kwang-jo. Kim Goeng-pil thought that teaching in Xiaoxue could be achieved through 'Gyeong (敬, respect).' It is the key of Neo-Confucianism in Joseon to control one's mind through the cultivating method of 'Gyeong.' Kim Goeng-pil settled Joseon's Confucianism as 'practical ethics(心學).' Before Kim Goeng-pil, no scholars had well presented the aspects of practical ethics. After King Myeongjong and Seonjo, Confucianism in Joseon worked as the cornerstone of practical ethics. Since mid-17th century, the system of practical ethics had been firmly established with focus on 'Gyeong. Literary men of Kim Goeng-pil and scholars they fostered led the academic and political world of Joseon after mid-16th century. They played the lead in Sarim faction's(士林派) ruling after King Seonjo came to throne. The very foundation which sublimated Joseon to the ethically ideal state and made the Dynasty a 'state of Sarim' was actually laid by Kim Goeng-pil.

• Sijohaknonchong
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• v.21
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• pp.185-206
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• 2004

We see the term in Tosan 12 songs and other poems by Leehwang. The term means 'Birds fly in the sky, Fish swim in the water.' It is important I think in that it is the point of contact between his poems and thought. There is a gap between original text of , [The way of mean (중용)] and Leehwang's understanding. It is same with Buddhism and Taoism as confucianism in the idea that we cannot describe the Ultimate into the human language. is the very confucian way of that. But Leewhang has the peculiar idea that it can't pass over the Moral state even though its meaning is over the human language.

• (The)Study of the Eastern Classic
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• no.57
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• pp.41-66
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• 2014

The Purpose of this paper is, through the character-figuration aspect of existing Yeoheon Jang Hyungwang(旅軒 張顯光, 1554~1637)-related folk tales, to determine the relation between the people's awareness on Yeoheon and the change in the folk tales. Only 4 pieces of Yeoheon-related folk tales are existed ; ; Forgiving a rude son of the provincial governor generously. ; Predicting 'the frost of May' and Preventing the cold-weather damage, when he served as Euiseong governor, and ; The folk tales of origins of the place name - Chimabawi Rockand Yeoheondae. shows the great scholar's liberal-hearted and generous personality. One day Jang Hyungwang looked shabby and a young person was quite rude to him. But Jang Hyungwang forgive him generously. Also Yeoheon teach him the thrift and modesty. described him as a governor filled with a love for the people. He tried to edify the people with the Confucian ethics and improve the life's work of the people. embodied him as a government official of high integrity. When his wife received the silk slip from the people, as farewell gift, he ordered his wife return that. and show the images of the Predicting the future and an extraordinary moralizer. Generally These folk tales are based on his personality, whereabouts and the real case. So we could find his images in the folk tales are close to his actual feature - thrift, modest, noble-minded, well-versed in Iching and practicing moral statesmanship.

• Journal of Korean Philosophical Society
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• v.141
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• pp.287-311
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• 2017

The major purpose of this article is to analyze Lee Jema's idea of 'cultivating the self,' and therefore reveal a difference between his idea and 'cultivating and nurturing (the mind)' shown in traditional medicine and Neo-Confucianism. For this purpose, I first analyzed 'cultivating and nurturing (the mind)' of traditional medicine and Neo-Confucianism and showed Lee Jema's originality by studying philosophical foundations of Sasang constitutional Medicine. The idea of 'cultivating and nurturing (the mind)' is transcendental in that it pursues the unity between humans and the principle of natural changes or the Heaven. However, Lee Jema developed his own medical theory by analyzing an ontological structure of human beings and nature and life, and reinterpreting four beginnings on the basis of experience. He reinterpreted humans as a being in the structure of time and space, and relationships with others. In addition, he reinterpreted nature and life and four beginnings as the capability of wisdom and action and the function of mind and body. Therefore, he tried to overcome a transcendental thinking to aim for the unity of humans with the Heaven. Also, he discovered that the most important reason for disease is biased emotions (moral/private) because biased emotions influenced the function of mind and body. The causal relationship is the basis of his medical theory. Therefore, his idea of cultivating the self is focused on being careful not to make emotions biased. This reveals that even though Sasang constitutional theory came from the traditional medical theory and Confucian morality, it developed on a different philosophical foundation. In this regard, I tried to differentiate Lee Jema's idea of cultivating the self from 'cultivating and nurturing (the mind)' which aims for the unity between humans and the principle of changes or the Heaven.

• The Journal of Korean Philosophical History
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• no.59
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• pp.65-88
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• 2018

Lee Hang Ro's Mind-theory(心說) is an important theory comparable to it of Gi Jeong Jin, Lee Jin Sang and Jeon Woo. In this paper, I examined the influence of the Western-school(西學) in the process of formation of Lee's theory. Since the Western-school had flowed in the beginning of the 17th century, in the 18th century it was subject to Confucian intellectuals along with social stability. However, listed in the 19th century, along with the turmoil of the East Asian international order, the Western-school was also rejected. The Western-school was a tool to analyze the cause of Western invasion(西勢東漸) in him. Lee saw The Western-school from the standpoint of Christianity mainly. Especially Christianity was recognized as a religion that emphasizes God rather than humans. In contrast, Confucianism was understood as a thought system that emphasizes human moral subjectivity rather than God. In this process mind was expanded to the subjectivity of human. However, Lee only emphasized the traditional Confucianism order and ignored the rationality of the Western-school. He could not accommodate western civilization actively and properly respond to the world order in that time. On the other hand, we are now in the era of a new civilization called the Fourth Industrial Revolution. To this the remarks of Lee's Mind-theory will be an important suggestion point for organizing the new civilization actively.

• The Journal of Korean Philosophical History
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• no.39
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• pp.29-52
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• 2013

Philosophy of respect righteousness advocated by Nammyung points to what first needs to be done to drive social changes. It is consistent with the Confucianism, which views the world from within oneself. After all, developing a proper view of the society starts from looking at oneself in the right perspective. The view that personal cultivation can develop into cultivation and eventually reform of the entire society is also present in Confucius' belief that one can only be at peace after disciplining oneself and observe good manners only after perseverance. Also, one can lead the world in peace only after disciplining one's body and mind. In other words, it suggests that individuals and the community where they belong to are not independent from one another. Rather, individuals gather to create a society and righteous individuals are the basis for righteous society. These principles of social system in Confucianism can be understood as a mutual or layered division and integration. The society is not conflicted with individuals or the nation but rather perceived as moral communities to co-exist. Hence, power of execution observed in the philosophy of respect and righteousness by Nammyung is identical to power of execution applied to the society. The power of execution shows up as 'the execution of righteousness' in Nammyung's philosophy of respect and righteousness. It is also demonstrated in the acts by Nammyung's disciples when the nation was at crisis. This is what differentiates Nammyung's new-Confucianism in Joseon Dynasty from Toegye or Yulgok as he tried to deliver 'the execution of righteousness.' It does not mean that neo-Confucian scholars did not emphasize the importance of execution, but Nammyung, in particular, warned how deceitful ideological or inner-directed thinking can be since they fail to come up with concrete solutions to social issues. In summary, Nammyung's moral discipline and training based on respect and righteousness cannot be evaluated in a state of vacuum separate from social and historical aspects but under the context of enlightening virtue and social execution. This can draw the conclusion that Nammyung's execution of respect and righteousness is in the starting point of the realistic 'theory of social reform' for creating a better world.

• Sim-seong Yeon-gu
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.107-138
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• 2013

The purpose of this article is to awaken our colleagues to the culture and mind issues that have been forgotten or neglected by contemporary psychiatry under the prevalence of materialistic orientation. Cultural psychiatry too, though it has been contributed a great deal to widen the mental vision of psychiatry, has revealed several limitations in its approach. In the course of one sided search for culture specific factors in relation to mental health, conventional cultural psychiatry has neglected an effort to explore the common root underlying the different cultures and the common foundation of human mind. Cross sectional comparisons of the cultures alone have inevitably prevented the global considerations to culutre and mind in historical aspects and the dynamic interactions between mind and culture more in depth. The author suggested that the total view of mind and total approach of analytical psychology of C.G. Jung might be capable to replenish those limitations. Author explained the ways of C.G. Jung's observations and experiences of non-western culture and his concepts of culture and mind. The author demonstrated Jung's view of culture with the example of Filial Piety, Hyo, the Confucian moral norm which can be regarded as components of the collective consciousness though connected with archetypal patterns of behavior of intimacy between parent and child. In regard to the coexistence of multi-religious cultures in Korea the author made a proposal of 'culture spectrum' model for understanding value orientations of person in religious cultures. He identified in case of the Korean 4 types of cultural spectrums: Person with predominantly the Buddhist culture; with the Confucian; with the Shamanist; and with the Christian culture. The author also made an attempt to depict the dynamic interactions of different religious cultures in historical perspectives of Korea. Concepts of mind from the Eastern thoughts were reviewed in comparison with Jung's view of mind. The Dao of Lao Zi, One Mind by Wonhyo, the Korean Zen master from the 7th century, the Diagram of the Heaven's Decree by Toegye, a renowned Neo-Confucianist of Korea from the 16th century and his theory of Li-Ki, were explored and came to conclusion that they represent certainly the symbol of the Self in term of C.G. Jung. The goal of healing is 'the becoming whole person'. Becoming whole person means bringing the person as an individual to live not only within the specific culture but also to live in the world beyond the culture which is deeply rooted in the primordial foundation of human mind.

• (The)Study of the Eastern Classic
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• no.62
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• pp.145-176
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• 2016

This paper aims to define the leadership of Gunja (君子, translated into prince, gentleman, or ideal man) based on Confucian Classics which offer the general values and norms of individuals' virtue and social virtuous acts. Thus, humanitarianism is regarded as true value, and the values of a virtuous person who properly practices social human relationships are discussed. The real worth of Gunja image is discussed as a true human image of "self-completion and completion of all things" (成己成物) which involves the convergence of truth, good and beauty where there is a sense of harmony and balance, where there is stern self discipline and self cultivation and where win-win values of human relationships are created. Confucian saint (聖人), wise man (賢人), great man (大人), and gentleman (君子) mean social leaders. They practice human morals, enlighten and beautify society with teachings, and are indicated as equipped with mental and material harmony, good character and competence, and economic power and morality. People today pursue their own personal growth according to their material preferences rather than pure intellectual cultural values, and are engrossed in visually beautiful external unlimited competition. In this digital age, we are supposed to demonstrate our individuality, but many people are obsessed with appearance, go on severe diet, and lose their health beauty, and consequently suffer mental stress. This trend fuels obsession with appearance and the sick practice of valuing appearance. As an alternative method to overcome this phenomenon, we need a leader image with the convergence of truth, good and beauty, which is characterized by internal self cultivation, external professionalism, and handsome and solid character. Confucian thoughts consist in practicing the Way of disciplining oneself for governing others (修己治人). Self discipline involves developing personal virtuous ability for cultivating a virtuous character, and governing others involves interacting to work together in society and to have right human relationships. Thus, leaders should impress not only themselves but also others. Self discipline for governing others means cultivating virtue for oneself and leading others. A true leader has self introspection and establishes himself through self discipline so that he can govern others or reach the realm of settling others where people live together. As all things have a value and a virtue, humans endeavor to cultivate character and virtue by learning and studying for securing their professionalism, reliability, character and ability, so as to create their own brand value. Personal character does not come from a high position, wealth and power. Character is a personal virtue, and is cultivated as immaculate and fresh through self discipline. As such, it well matches with a clean and clear spirit. This offers the ideal leader as the Guja image who has an extremely humane character, as well as being equipped with inherent virtues of intellect, benevolence and courage. Self development can foster virtue and self management through self leadership and self discipline. The leader in the relationship area can practice his virtue through virtuous acts, in other words, even think from another person's perspective. Such leader is mentioned as the principle of measuring square in the Great Learning. In our viewpoint, the beauty of character can breed the seed of virtue through intellect, benevolence and courage, the beauty of win-win can realize the right virtue by showing exemplary acts to others through considerateness, and the beauty of harmony can love and care for others like me through the principle of measuring square, thereby realizing the universal principle of virtue and harmony, which is like my mind. As such, the ideal leader, when his virtue and mind of being considerate of others all blending well, can exercise his ability to the full, can live together and coexist with many people, and can grow again into a triumphant relationship.

• The Journal of Korean Philosophical History
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• no.31
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• pp.7-32
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• 2011

Cheng Yi(程?, 1033~1107) understood that nature is full of "changes(易)". And he noted that human being as part of nature also exists only in a series of changes, i.e. birth, growth, extinction and death. All things including human being arise from the same principle, or "Heavenly Principle." Hence human being can fundamentally be one with all other beings, or nature. It is called "Unity of all things(萬物一體)" and "Unity of heaven and human(天人合一)." This philosophical perspective cannot be regarded as being unique to Cheng only; neo-Confucian predecessors called "the five masters of the Northern Song(北宋五子)" anticipated Cheng's vision already. Nevertheless, Cheng elaborated on the shared vision, revealing his philosophical uniqueness. Cheng maintains that only human being receives the principle in the unstained form, and thereby is capable of being one with nature. The one who realizes her/his potential to be one with nature is a sage(聖人); for Cheng, the order and pattern found in nature is nothing other than moral principle that human beings have to live up to and vice versa. Cheng's idea on the principle which human being receives from Heaven no doubt relates to Mencian notion of the innate goodness of human nature(性善); the innate goodness of human nature is no other than Heavenly Principle, and to become a sage depends on whether one can realize her/his potential - human nature, i.e. Heavenly Principle in her/himself. For Cheng, human nature tantamount to Heavenly Principle has no evil quality; all the evil in the world comes from imperfect "physical endowment(氣質)," or "capacity(才)" which is various from person to person, making various personalities. Accordingly, the task of moral cultivation in Cheng's theory can translate into the matter of rectification of one's physical endowment.

• Journal of the Korean association of regional geographers
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.151-167
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• 2016

Conventional social science typically regards the idea of a 'mountain' as part of 'nature' and a physical environment existing separately from, or prior to, human society and culture. However, in Korea, which is 70% mountainous land, the 'mountain' is part of a unique 'social nature'. This research develops the idea that in this context the mountain is a social nature and a cultural landscape which are tied heavily to the idea of travel. The article interrogates why the scenic beauties of Mt. Kumgang have been perceived and conveyed through multiple generations since the Chosun Dynasty period. Focusing on Mt. Kumgang, this article illustrates how strongly people have held dreams of mountain travel, for the whole life-time. Travel writings(or accounts of trips to the mountain) and artwork have played a particularly important role in creating Mt. Kumgang's reputation as the most beautiful mountain in the country. At the same time, the access to the mountain was often a dangerous adventure, with many travelers facing hunger and extreme physical challenges. As portrayed in writings and artwork, the overall effect of these dynamics was the creation of a socionatural place of striking beauty that even seemed to have mystical or magical fantasy. According to Confucian ideals, full appreciation of nature and its beauty was key to understanding the logics of the universe and to achieving a high moral standard, which contributed to decide to leave for the mountain as well. The essays, poems, and paintings of Mt. Kumgang since the Chosun Dynasty period that portrayed the mountain's beauty collectively served to produce the mountain as a socionatural landscape engendered with potent place-myths, important historical meaning, and strong aesthetic associations. Thus, the travel to the mountain seemed never completed over until travelers had completed various artistic representations to record and to memorize what they'd done and seen in Mt. Kumgang, which had been performed for the strong purpose of social sharing of the real the mountain's beauties and itinerary.