On Friday, December 5, the Institute for Confucian Culture, in collaboration with the Society for Classical Chinese Philosophy, held the 21st Expert Lecture Series (Academic Symposium).

Under the theme “On Yi I’s Concept of Li (Principle)”, the symposium was organized to offer an in-depth examination of Yulgok Yi I’s understanding of li, which marked an important turning point in the development of Neo-Confucianism in the Joseon dynasty.

Professor Bongkyu Lee of Inha University, invited as the keynote presenter, reviewed the philosophical issues inherent in the traditional conceptual framework in which li has referred to both human nature and moral order. He then explored how Yi I reinterpreted and further developed this framework. In particular, Professor Lee proposed an interpretation of Yi I’s li as the “grammar of human relations,” which provides the basis and method for sustaining benevolence. Through this, he highlighted the theoretical implications and the originality of Yi I’s thought.

We express our sincere gratitude to all the scholars who attended despite their busy schedules.

◎ Event Title: Joint Academic Seminar of the Chinese Society for Classical Philosophy & the Institute for Confucian Culture (21st Invited Expert Lecture)

◎ Topic: On Yi I’s Concept of Li (理)

◎ Presenter: Prof. Bongkyu Lee (Inha University)

◎ Date & Time: Friday, December 5, 2025, 16:00–18:00

◎ Venue: Sungkyunkwan University, International Hall, Room 9B208

◎ Hosts: 

-Chinese Society for Classical Philosophy; Institute for Confucian Culture,
-Center for Contemporary Study of East Asian Classics and Critical Confucianism (CCECC), Institute of Confucian Philosophy & Culture (ICPC), SKKU

- BK21 Educational Research Group, Department of Confucianism, Eastern Philosophy and Korean Philosophy, SKKU