Korean philosophy

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There has been a continuous history of philosophy in Korea, that goes back more than two thousand years. Traditional Korean philosophy focused on a totality of world view. The emotional content of shamanism, and the unpredictable, as represented by the Chinese method of casting the I Ching, were both integrated into it.

Contents

[edit] Buddhist philosophers

[edit] Confucian philosophers

[edit] Neo-Confucian philosophers

[edit] Schools of thought in the Joseon period

This dynasty arose out of the military dictatorships and chaos of the preceding era. Transition in this era was from buddhism to a soldierly approach to Confucianism. Much work was done, especially on commentaries, and the Chu Hsi school represented indeed the golden age of Korean philosophy. Metaphysical research at this time investigated the relations between principle (i) and material/vital force (ki), and between as well the four beginnings (sadan), and the seven feelings (ch'ilchong); with the division of the Joseon Confucianists into two leading schools: one on "force" and one on "principles", according to recent research by Wai-ming Ng on this period.

[edit] Major philosophical figures of the Joseon period

These are listed by their most commonly-used pen name, followed by their birth name.

  • Yeoheon Jang Hyeon-gwang (1554-1637)
  • Hagok Jeong Je-du (1649-1736)
  • Udam Jeong Si-han (1625-1707)
  • Sambong Jeong Do-jeon (1337-1398)
  • Dasan Jeong Yag-yong (1762-1836)
  • Namdang Han Won-jin (1682-1750)
  • Damheon Hong Tae-yong (1731-1783)
  • Nosa Gi Jeong-jin (1798-1876)
  • Gobong Gi Dae-seung (1527-1572)
  • Haseo Kim In-hu (1511-1560)
  • Maewoldang Kim Si-seup (1435-1493)
  • Yangchon Gwon Geun (1352-1409)
  • Yeonam Bak Ji-won (1737-1805)
  • Seogye Bak Se-dang (1629-1703)
  • Hwadam Seo Gyeong-deok (1489-1546)
  • Ugye Seong Hon (1535-1598)
  • Uam Song Si-yeol (1607-1689)
  • Hanju Yi Jin-sang (1818-1885)
  • Hwaseo Yi Hang-no (1792-1868)
  • Toegye Yi Hwang (1501-1570)
  • Yulgok Yi I (1536-1584)
  • Seongho Yi Ik (1681-1763)
  • Ban-gye Yu Hyeong-won (1622-1673)
  • Baek-ho Yun Hyu (1617-1680)

[edit] Western philosophy in Korea from 1890-1945

Philosphically, under Japanese rule, Korean philosophy was thrown aside for state Shintoism. Those who were sent to be educated in Japan, returned with limited knowledge of western philosophy as a whole, although the German educational influence in Japan led to the beginning of interest in German idealists in Korea through indirect knowledge, with the exception of Marx, Hegel, and the dialecticians.

The strong influence of low church Christianity, through missionary schools, led to practical American YMCA-style philosophy entering into Korea from the 1890s onwards. The discussion of Korean Christianity and Korean Christian philosophy is complicated with many divisions, and discussed in articles elsewhere.

By the time of Japan's unconditional surrender, Korea was given a partition, further solidified by the Korean war.

Philosophy in Korea was divided according to a kind of pragmatic mix of varied progressive libertarian beliefs in the south with highly variable changes from rigid authoritianism to softer and easier more pragmatic approaches from the 1990s onwards. Buddhism is having a revival through the internet amongst young people.

[edit] North Korean post-1945 philosophy

In the republican period, post-1945, orthodox Marxism in the north was built on the Confucian yangban scholar-warriors of earlier times, if perhaps taken to absolutist extremes.

Throughout the 1950s Pyongyang scholars were influenced by orthodox Maoism, as well as often studying communist ideology at Moscow University more than in China. As interesting as this field is, little is written or known in the west on the development of 20th century philosophy in North Korea, or the achievements, if any, made in this area, making accurate observations difficult.

The main influence in North Korea has been since 1996, the notion of "The Red Banner Spirit". This system of belief encourages the North Korean people to build a "kangsong taeguk", a fortress state, based on self-reliance and absolute loyalty to the leader (suryong). This philosophy was created by the "three generals of Mt. Paektu," referring to current North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, his father Kim Il-sung and his natural mother Kim Jong-suk. Again little is known of philosophical publications on this subject; but it appears to have replaced Marxism with a home-grown nationalistic ideology.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  • Choi, Min Hong (1978), A Modern History of Korean Philosophy, Seoul : Seong Moon Sa.
  • DeBary, Theodore (ed.), The Rise of Neo-Confucianism in Korea, New York: Columbia University Press, 1985.
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