• Title/Summary/Keyword: theories of human nature and the nature of things

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War as Catastrophe: Jacques Callot's "Miseries of War" as Moral Meditation

  • Levine, Michael;Taylor, William
    • The Journal of Art Theory & Practice
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    • no.13
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    • pp.157-184
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    • 2012
  • This essay examines Jacques Callot's Les Grandes Mis$\grave{e}$res et Malheurs de la Guerre (1633) as a moral meditation on war as catastrophe. It also uses Callot's Miseries to reflect on the nature of catastrophe as such, particularly as "An event producing a subversion of the order or system of things." As such, catastrophe refers less to nature or the natural gone awry, than it does to the abnegation or suspension of moral aspects of human nature. More than a reflection on war as catastrophe, and catastrophe as fundamentally moral, Callot's Miseries are a timeless meditation on aspects of the human condition; or on human beings in what amounts to state of nature-as evidenced in times of disaster. Such reflection, again, does not by itself imply that all war-even when catastrophic-is unnecessary, let alone necessarily unjust. But it does suggest that artistic engagement with war understood as catastrophic, may yield insights into human nature that are as important to human self-understanding as those represented in artistic subject matter that is more quotidian.

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A Comparative Study on Theories of the Nature of the Mind in Confucianism and in Daesoon Jinrihoe (유교와 대순진리회의 심성론(心性論) 비교 연구)

  • Yoon, Yong-bok
    • Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
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    • v.32
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    • pp.1-28
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    • 2019
  • Theories on the nature of the mind aim to accurately describe the nature of the human mind. In other words, these theories are meant to discover what the human mind ultimately is and what its nature is. In this study, I try to understand the theory of the nature of the mind in Daesoon Jinrihoe in connection to similar theories in Confucianism. Like in Confucianism, the issue of mind is an important subject in Daesoon Jinrihoe. The concept of 'mind' as presented in 'The Jeon-Gyeong' is connected to gods. But in 'The Jeon-Gyeong,' there is no premise that the mind is good or evil. It suggests that the mind is the center of humanity and the universe and that all things depend on the mind. Therefore it is understood that good and evil are revealed according to the actions of the mind. Conscience (良心) and self-interest (私心) are mentioned in 'Essentials of Daesoon Jinrihoe'. If conscience is understood as benevolence (仁) as spoken of by Confucius, or as Moral Knowledge in Mencius's usage, more advanced discussion can be made. If looked upon in that way, one can conclude that conscience is the nature of the mind and thereby, the nature of humans and their minds is good. Discussions on the nature of the mind can also be explained in relation to the concept of 'a Singularly-focused Mind (一心)', which was frequently emphasized by Jeungsan. The two mindsets of conscience and self-interest are mentioned, but the original mind is only conscience which exists as the nature of heaven (天性). Self-interest is nothing but an illusion. As Zhu Xi explained that even if a saint (聖人) thought of utterly nothing, he would became a madman, and therefore people should look closely and realize that self-interest is nothing but a delusion. Accordingly, when returning to one's conscience, the orignal state of a singularly-focused mind, it becomes the sort of Singularly-focused Mind that Jeungsan emphasized. In other words, self-interest is a form of greed that is born out of worldly desires.

The Directivity of Traditional Architectural Space in Korean and Japanese (한국${\cdot}$일본 전통건축공간의 지향성)

  • Kim Dong-Young
    • Journal of the Korean housing association
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    • v.16 no.6
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    • pp.101-109
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    • 2005
  • As a circumstantial-existance character (the human character who takes action after grasping circumstances and fears things with reason) the Japanese were more interested in the active doctrines of Wang Yang-ming than other speculative studies. All of people were inhumanely incorporated into the rigorous class system under pressure in the samurai society. In the atmosphere of the society a natural phenomenon was understood as the ksana of change, and instead of the whole, the part was mainly described with emphasis on the reality. Therefore nature came near to the man after being reduced and then was symbolized in the Interior space. Also the classification of spaces, that is to say, the settlement of borders by the social position was shown in the great interior space like a labyrinth. As a self-existance character(the human style who carves out for and does not have a regard other's feeling), however, the Korean were much influenced by the Taoist Idea as they tried to be similar to nature in nature itself. Therefore the idea of Asaniskrota was in their origin. There was a tendency for space to be extended toward the outdoor in Korea, since the Korean people who are speculative and like to be natural tried to be close to nature. Therefore the division of spaces according to class and sexuality and the settlement of borders were already shown in outside by Che-Na-Num(Divided-Mass:Koren's own style). These are closely related with that houses were built after a village settle down in Korea while built before a village settle down in Japan. Architectural space consists of the interior and the exterior. The layout and (on of architectural space has a great variety of characters by region and culture. In other words, it can be understood which has a priority between the interior and the exterior in developing the layout and the form of architectural space. Belonging to the culture area of Chinese characters with Korea, Japan has maintained its own Identity. It has an identity in the layout and form of architectural space as well. Therefore, the architecture and architectural theories of the two countries were compared and analyzed with priority given to the traditional architecture, also the backgrounds of architecture and architectural theories of two countries were examined in this study. This study shows that each country has different characters in how to introduce nature, how to expand space and how to compose windows, including the view of nature and the cult of space. As a result, the space in Korean architecture has relatively the exterior-oriented character but in Japan architecture spatial character is interior-oriented. The interior-oriented character can be relevant to the word 'reduction' and the exterior-oriented character to 'extension' after all. Also it can be thought that each character has a great relation with climate and idea of people in power.

Study on the view of human body and disease in 『Donguibogam』(1) -View of the life in 『Donguibogam』- (『동의보감』의 ‘신체관’과 ‘질병관’에 관한 연구(1) -『동의보감』에서 본 생명관-)

  • Jeong Woo Yeal
    • Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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    • v.16 no.1
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    • pp.1-7
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    • 2002
  • The development of life science has given many insights into life phenomenons to mankind. Nevertheless, many questions for various phenomenon in life has not been satisfied. Recently, scientific development in human's knowledge showed the limitation of science comparing With the variety of life phenomenon. The fundmental reason of the limitation is thought that the subject of study in life science has been material, and so life has been thought a matter of material in life science. The thought of Hu Jun about this problem, the nature of living things is an important interest in Korean Traditional Medicine, Haneuihak(韓醫學). In this study, the view of human body and disease of Hu Jun(許浚) about the nature of living things which was appeared in 『Donguibogam』 was illuminated. The content of 『Donguibogam』 was edited in the order of Naekyung(內景篇; internal part of the body)ㆍOuihyung(外形編; external part of the body)ㆍJabbyung(雜病篇; diseases)ㆍTangaek(湯液偏; medicinal decoction)ㆍChimgu(針灸篇; acupuncture and moxibustion). The part of Naekyung(內景篇; internal part of the body) is thesis about basic theories and his thought about human body and life, which was seen in ‘Shinhyungjangbu-do(身形臟腑圖; figure of body and shape, and the organs and viscera)’ㆍthe part of ‘Jeong(精)’ㆍ‘Gi(氣)’ㆍ‘Sin(神)’ theory. In this study, the parts which were related with his view of life were selected and compared with the China philosohy of those days to elucidate what is his thought of life appeared in 『Donguibogam』.

A study on Daesan Kim Mae-Soon's Theory of the Nature and Principle (대산(臺山) 김매순(金邁淳)의 성리설(性理說) 연구- 호락논쟁(湖洛論爭)의 주요 쟁점에 유의하여 -)

  • 박학래
    • 유학연구
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    • v.44
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    • pp.1-34
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    • 2018
  • This paper analyzed the theory of the Nature and Principle of Kim Mae-soon, who was a representative scholar of the Nak-ron(洛論) in the early 19th century, focusing on Horak Controversy. He not only embodied his academic view based on the tradition of Andong Kim's family, but also faithfully succeeded the view of the Nak-ron closely linked to the his family academic tradition. He was more familiar with Neo-Confucianism than any other scholar of his time, and he completed the commentary on 《ZhuZiDaQuan》(朱子大全) developed after the 17th century. He also wrote a series of works that specifically describe his academic views through a detailed understanding and confirmation of various Confucian scriptures, including 《Zhongyong》(中庸) and 《TaHsueh》(大學). In particular, he systematized his own neo-Confucian view, which he achieved through deep thought and literature review, into the 《Gweolyeosanphil》(闕餘散筆) at the end of his life. This paper is the first study of Kim Mae-soon's theory of Confucianism. Through this paper, I first examined his life in terms of thought formation and development. And then I analyzed his views specifically on the subject of Hoak Controversy, focusing on the discussion of the nature of people and things in 《Geueolyeosanphil》. Finally, I carefully examined his academic influence in a poetic way, focusing on scholars who had communicated with him.

Natural Space and Cognitional Space in Modern (근대의 자연 공간과 인식 공간)

  • Kang, Dong-soo
    • Journal of Korean Philosophical Society
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    • v.116
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    • pp.1-31
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    • 2010
  • This Article studies a meaning of geometrical-mathematical spatial idea in the source of modern theories of space. Modern theories of space elucidated a relation of human and space through the geometrical terms; point, line, plane and extension etc. Descartes and Newton identified space as a natural realty, Leibniz and Kant elucidated space as a subjective idea or form. It is the result of modern spatial theories that space is lied nearly in human. In the meaning of natural space, space is empirically unfolded with a shape of measuring in front of human's eyes. In the meaning of cognitional space, space is a method or subjective cognitional form that human understands nature and constitutes world. Modern theories of space would be divided into four patterns. In Newton's theory space is absolutely prior to things. In Leibniz' theory space is a co-existence order of Monads. In Descartes's theory space is identified with extension. In Kant's theory space is cognitional form of subject. They all are confronted with each other in the source of space. In their confrontation they reflected on the relation of human and space in their own standpoint. We classify their particularly differential concepts of space into natural space and cognitional space. And then we analyze a difference of spatial meanings, and then investigate foundations of meaning of modern theories of space. On the one hand they are become to the source of alienation of human from space. But on the other they are contributed to get space familiar with human through a wakening for the correlation of human and space. The natural space indicates that with measurable shape space is extended really in front of human's experiential eyes. But the cognitional space elucidates that space is only a subjective idea or form with which human understands nature and constructs world. In the former it is embossed that space is independent to human, and is able to be measured and to be treated according to natural raws. In the latter it is evidenced that space is not separated to human, and that space is not without human, and a correlation existed between human and space. Humanist ideal is declared in them. It was a declaration of human sovereignty to nature. But this declaration is caused to alienate human beings from space.

A Comparative Study of the Theories of Life Posited by Confucianism and Daesoon Thought (유학과 대순사상의 생명론 비교 고찰)

  • An Yoo-kyoung
    • Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
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    • v.42
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    • pp.75-108
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    • 2022
  • This paper aims to newly investigate the meaning of life in this era when various discussions on life and ethical living are commonly raised by comparing and examining the theories of life proposed by Confucianism and Daesoon Thought. Both Confucianism and Daesoon Thought explain the creation of all things as having been based on the principles of life in heaven and earth. Specifically, there is the will to live (生意 saengeui) and also divine beings (神明 sinmyeong). For this reason, everything in heaven and earth is created by obtaining the same principle of life such that it is an equal being with the same intrinsic value. Here the consciousness of being one body amid all things as one living thing is established. The consciousness of being one body forms an organic worldview in which all things are one. As a result, all things in heaven and earth exist within a mutual organic relationship, and that makes oneself and others precious life partners that coexist rather than separate beings. Nevertheless, both Confucianism and Daesoon Thought define humans as outstanding beings, set aside for a higher purpose than other beings. The excellence of humans is that by constantly engaging in self reflection and completing tasks through independent efforts, they thereby achieve the great moral doctrine of coexistence and symbiosis. In this process, cultivation of character (修養 suyang) and cultivation of the Dao (修道 sudo) are presented as means to realize one's nature and establish the right human image. By realizing nature or humanity through the cultivation of character and cultivation of the Dao, humans fulfill their responsibilities and missions by independently participating in being nourished by Heaven and Earth (天地化育 cheonjihwayuk) or the Reordering Works of Heaven and Earth (天地公事 cheonjigongsa), both being based in the concept of the three generative forces of Heaven, Earth, and Humanity (天·地·人 cheon·ji·in). In the end, the theories of life posited by Confucianism and Daesoon Thought are based on a consciousness of being one body. Both emphasize the characteristics and roles of humans who are distinguished from other beings and phenomena. At this time, human characteristics and roles are revealed as the reasons for which humans have a responsibility and mission take care of all things. From this point of view, it can be seen that the theoretical structure of Neo-Confucianism and Daesoon Thought, in regards to their theories of life, is rather similar.

Yun-Ji(尹指)'s Medical Thought in "Dunongyeonsocheonjimundap(鈍翁演小天地問答)" (조선조 성리학자 윤지(尹指)의 "둔옹연소천지문답(鈍翁演小天地問答)"에 나타난 의학사상 연구)

  • Chough, Won-Joon;Park, Wan-Sik
    • Journal of Korean Medical classics
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    • v.20 no.4
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    • pp.187-210
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    • 2007
  • Dunong(鈍翁), Yun-Ji had born by a concubine, and his dream didn't come true for the restraint of his social position, so he tried to train younger men. His writings still remain 4 volumes of "Dunongyeonsocheonjimundap" and "Dunongdongmongmundap(鈍翁童蒙問答)", which may be called its primer. "Dunongyeonsocheonjimundap" is written in question-and-answer form between Chal-Hye-Ja(察慧子) who has a meager knowledge and Sim-Gyeong-Ong(心耕翁) who search for the truth. It is progressed from the law of nature to human's cultivation of the mind so as to reconfirm the recognition of the unity between the heaven and human beings and lead the interpretation and practice of the metaphysical proposition. It is characterized by making use of metrical compositions to induce plain tone of argument. "Dunongdongmongmundap", whereas, uses archaic writings to describe natural science including astronomy to the beginners. Dunong's scholarship is characterized by these: He explained the metaphysical propositions by approaching usual things including oriental medicine practically; He comprised the Confucian concepts intensively to examine the Oriental studies closely; He groped for the outlooks on the world of taking serious view of human being or human body. And his medical thought is characterized by these: He attached importance to the theory of viscera and bowels based on yin-yang and five phase theory; He suggested the concrete yin-yang theory with a viewpoint of qi-blood theory; He considered the concept of 'six' only as mutual rooting of yin and yang and five visceras and six vowels, and denied the traditional six qi concepts; He explained the ghost theories of the metaphysics based on the yin-yang theory to analogize points of sameness between the oriental medicine and the metaphysics; He emphasized restore yang theory. Therefore, we can say that he regarded the human body as small heaven-earth and grafted the abstract propositions into the actuals so as to put the metaphysical propositions in practice.

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Magritte's drawings and Lacan's Subject theory: Gaze, Encounter with the world (마그리트 회화와 라캉의 주체론 - 응시, 세계와의 조우)

  • Baek, Jin-Hwa
    • The Journal of Art Theory & Practice
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    • no.5
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    • pp.7-24
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    • 2007
  • The subject is connected with a structure named "The Symbolic" to Lacan, but he denied that the subject is explained simply as a fruit of language and "Other". From his point of view, passing through Subject, De-formation and Crack over it is designated as foundation of generation and creation rather than our destined defect. It should not be understood that subject of "The Real" is a concept of the subject free itself from restraint of "The Symbolic". However, this does not mean he asserts "Subject" is something incapable of being controlled by the unknown power. The problem is that this autonomous existence meets inside of it with something "more than one's own self" by "circulating around itself" like a permanent star. This is the indication of a "stranger in the middle of my privacy", or "extimit$\'{e}$", a coined-word by Lacan. Perhaps "Subject" is nothing more than the name of distance of object which is "too hot" to come close, and of this circulating movement. It's because of this object that the real subject stands against generalization and the subject can't be restored to any place in symbolic order-even though it is empty. The part which is told from Lacan's structural theory, that is to say, an importance to Lacan is that his Subject theory is not suggested or denied as a manual structure. On the contrary, it is a study of the relationship between the settled symbol that included in "real subject which is a unconscious one" and the symbolic subject hold- that is a metaphysical subject in general meaning. In Lacan's enlarged concept of subject beyond symbolic reality, it is noticeable that it gives justifiability to the union of a medium of different nature in artistic expression. We can recognize that the unconscious world is a living space which enables it to be a "condition of human being", not something dark under the surface of water through Magritte's(Rene Magritte, 1898~1967) surrealistic works. In other words, Magritte's art secures a core dimension of human nature through a mysterious gap of conscious and settled space. Magritte's drawings often evokes strange and unsettling feelings in people who view his paintings. This is because routine objects are found in "unsuitable" places from which we usually find them in our everyday lives. "Reality" in Magritte's paintings makes it aware that it is a strained field of concealment and disclosure basically between truths, and we can learn that his behavior to overturn to paint in-visible things is finally an effort to restore the "real subject" to the viewer's reality. In other words, such reversion arouses a nostalgic desire for the objects existing in their original appearance as they are - natural condition that our gaze had not been distorted yet by anamorphic stains. - and the state when we are conscious of them normally. Such desire offers an opportunity for us to get out of mental depression rather than operates to us as an abnormal crack. It's a successive process of effort to search for lost subject and Paradise Lost facing up to reality of subject human that is to be a subject of world and life are ousted from their place by structure and authority of culture.

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Theistic Evolution: between Creationism and Evolutionism (유신진화론: 창조론과 진화론 사이에서)

  • Je, Haejong
    • The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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    • v.21 no.6
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    • pp.445-455
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    • 2021
  • Interest in the origin of the universe and man has historically been one of the central themes of human inquiry. The question of origin is not just a matter of intellectual curiosity, but a matter of human identity and an important matter of human destiny. The traditional model presented in relation to the origin of man is largely the Christian creationism that all things originated from the Creator, the evolutionary theory that everything happened by chance and evolved from lower to higher animals, and the agnosticism that we cannot know anything about the origin. This study deals with the theory of theistic evolution, a combination of creationism and evolutionism. It is argued that the theory of the evolutionary origin was not an immediate creation, although all things originated from God, but through creation through a long evolutionary process. The theory of theistic evolution was proposed by combining two conflicting theories of origin in a Christian way, which has several essential problems, but this study pointed out two. First, the God of the Bible is reduced to the image of being confined to the laws of nature, not the Almighty Creator. Second, by interpreting the events of the Bible symbolically, it results in rejection of historicity. Therefore, it is more rational to choose either evolutionism or creationism rather than the theory of theistic evolution.