Debates in Korean Confucianism

Myeong-kwan Kang and 7 Others

Domestic and Foreign University Students, General Persons, Major Students

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Humanities

Beginner

This is an introductory course in which ‘Confucian Civilization in Joseon Dynasty’, which examines main issues of the history of Joseon Dynasty, occurring in the Confucian context, by several themes such as politics, religion, academic, medicine, economy, culture, etc. It aims to help Koreans more deeply know their tradition and cosmopolitans understand the basis of the Korean culture.

1. Learners can verify various issues discussed based on the Confucianism, and therefore, examine the meanings of the Korean philosophy from various angles.

2. Learners can understand the effects of Neo-Confucianism, a mainstream ideology in the Joseon Dynasty on the Joseon society by themes.

3. Learners can understand that the society, culture and thought in the Joseon era were established based on the principle different from the current one. 

Week 1

History of Books and Knowledge in Joseon Era

1. Significance of Books in Joseon Dynasty

2. Subject of Printing-Publication

3. Distribution of Books

4. Character of Books Printed-Published

Week 2

Science in Era of King Sejong and Establishment of the Joseon Dynasty, a Confucian Civilization

1. Asking about Essence of God’s Will(天命) and Astronomy_Civilization

2. Establishing the Order of Heaven; Confucianism and Astronomy in Era of King Sejong

3. Establishing Order of Heaven; Confucianism and Astronomy in Era of King Sejong

4. Establishing Order of Confucian Rule Based on Standardization of Traditional Music

5. Creation of Hunminjeongeum, Inherent Characters

6. Significance of Scientific Research in the Era of King Sejong

Week 3

View on Organs and Dissection in Joseon Dynasty, and Confucianism

1. Body View of Heaven-Human Unification in Donguibogam

2. Does ‘Sim’ Suggested by Sung Confucianism Mean Heart? Analysis from Lee Hwang to Jeong Yak Yong

3. Is Heart the Center of the Body? or the Center of the Brain?

4. Is Dissection Essential for Medical Development?

Week 4

Sadanchiljeongnonbyeon of Joseon Confucianism

1. Thought-Background of Sadanchiljeongnonbyeon

2. Basic Structure and Important Proposition of Neo Confucianism

3. Debate between Yi Toegye and Gi Gobong

4. Philosophical Significance of The Four-Seven Debate between Toegye and Gobong

5. Debate between Lee Yulgok and Seong Ugye

6. Contrast between Perspectives of Toegye and Yulgok

7. Philosophical Significance of the Four-Seven Debate

Week 5

Ritual Controversy

1. Questions about Ritual Controversy

2. Power and Check: Viewed from a Comparative History of Human Civilization

3. Uniqueness of Check of Confucian Royal Authority

4. Succession of Royal Authority and Jongbeokje: Pre-regulation and Post-regulation

5. Pre-history of Kihaeyesong

6. Kihaeyesong and its Hidden Meanings

7. How to View Ritual Controversy

Week 6

Birth of Virtuous Women

1. What are Virtuous Women?

2. Historical Formation Process of Virtuous Women

Week 7

Rule of Law in the Joseon Dynasty

1. Yeonam Park Jiwon’s <Theory of Honor>

2. Intent to Punish in Murder Cases

3. Preventing Crime through Warnings

4. Edification: 17th Century <Jongdeokpyeon>

5. Sudeokron of King Yeongjo in the 18th Century

6. Heumhyul Politics of King Jeongjo

7. Inquisition during the Joseon Dynasty

8. Excess of Morals

9. Heumheumsinseo

Week 8

Deadong Law, the Greatest Innovation in the Joseon Dynasty

1. Ideology and Principle of Daedong Law

2. Why did It Take 100 Years to Enact Daedong Law?

3. How did Daedong Law Change the Financial Structure of Joseon

4. How to View the Financial Crisis of the 19th Century

Week 9

Sojae Noh Susin and Doctrines of Wang Yang-ming in the Joseon Dynasty

1. Sojae Noh Susin = Regulation of Yook Wanghak

2. History of Korean Thought Before/After Liberation - 10 Main Materials about Narrative of Yang-ming Studies

3. Takahashi Toru’s Definition of Science(異學)

4. Remaining Tasks

Week 10

Debates surrounding ‘Western Learning’

1. What is Western Learning?

2. Western Learning and Joseon Dynasty’s Confucianism

3. Western Learning, Religion, Science and Modernity

4. Epilogue: Seongho’s Perception