In Search for the Origins of Korean Philosophy

So-Jeong Park, Taiyang Yun, SungKee Kim, Kyoung-ryang Ki, KunWoo Rhee

University students interested in Korean philosophy

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Humanities

Introductory

This course aims to discover, analyze, and organize documentary sources in the history of Korean philosophy, ultimately aiming to publish a Korean Philosophy Sourcebook. We will unearth sources that have not yet been highlighted in relation to the original form of Korean philosophy.

1. Understand the limitations in materials on ancient Korean thought and learn how to philosophize using scarce documentary sources.

2. Understand the contents and characteristics of three themes—names, language, and religion—that shape Korean identity.

Week 1

Philosophizing through Primary Sources

1. Thinking through Reading

2. Scattered Sources of Ancient Koreans

3. Comparing Inside and Outside Views in the Eyes of “Others”

4. Interpretation through Philosophical Reflection

5. Name, Language, and Religion

Week 2

Korean Identity through the Names Called by Others

1. The Name Others Call You and the Name You Call Yourself

2. “Joseon” and “Eastern Foreigners, Dongyi”

3. “Three Han, Samhan”

Week 3

Korean Language and Korean Thought

1. Living as Koreans in the East Asian Cultural Sphere

2. Reading with Meaning, Reading with Sound

3. Hanja as an Ambivalent Medium

4. Writing Systems of Korean Using Hanja

Week 4

Before Confucianism and Buddhism Introduced

1. Indigenous Thoughts before the Influence of Foreign Cultures

2. Dangun Legend Perhaps Related to Korean Dolmens, Goindol

3. An Interpretation of the Dangun Legend as a Peaceful Union of Various Tribes

4. Drinking, Singing, and Dancing: Ethnic Tradition before Confucianism and Buddhism

Week 5

Confucianism and Buddhism Introduced into Korea

1. Confucianism as a Political Education System

2. Literacy and Insight through the Confucian Classics

3. Buddhism in the East Asian Context

4. Why Does Silla Stand Out in Relation to Korean Buddhism?

5. Universality and Particularity of Korean Buddhism

6. Confucianism and Buddhism Coexist in Korean Spirituality

7. How has Buddhism Changed the Intellectual Landscape of Korea?

8. Self-awareness of Marginalized Intellectuals

9. Buddhism and Korean Spirituality

Week 6

Closing and Q&A with Students

1. Closing

2. Dialogue 1: Korean Identity through the Eyes of Others and the Identity of Marginalized Intellectuals

3. Dialogue 2: The Universality and Particularity of Korean Philosophy

Searching for the Original Form of Korean Philosophy

Taiyang Yun & Others

University students, general public

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Humanities

Introductory

Focusing on the Three Kingdoms period, often considered the birth stage of Korean philosophy, we introduce the early stages of uniquely Korean thought—taking into account the introduction of Confucianism and Buddhism, Korean identity, and the condition of coming from the Chinese Characters Cultural Sphere.

1. Critically understand the concept of “Korean philosophy” and its early formation process.

2. Understand the background and process through which Confucianism and Buddhism, as imported academic traditions, took root.

3. Compare and critically analyze two theories about Korean identity.

4. Examine the influence of Chinese characters and the development of indigenous thought in a balanced way.

Week 1

Korea, Philosophy, the Original Form, and Sourcebook

1. Defining the Scope of “Korean Philosophy” and Its Issues

2. Overview and Introduction of the Weekly Lectures

Week 2

The Introduction of Confucianism to the Korean Peninsula and Its Influence

1. The Circumstances and Background of Introduction of Confucianism

2. Common Features among the Three Kingdoms That Adopted Confucianism

3. The Purpose of Introducing Confucianism and the Goals of Confucianism

Week 3

The Acceptance and Purpose of Buddhism

1. The Metaphysical Strengths and Appeal of Buddhism

2. Justification of Royal Authority and the Pure Land Faith

3. Syncretism of Buddhism with Existing Beliefs

Week 4

Dongyi: The Plurality of East Asian Civilization and Re-recognition of Korean Identity

1. The Relationship between Korean Identity and the Concept of Dongyi

2. Problems in the Single-lineage Theory and a Pluralistic View of History

Week 5

The Meaning and Transformation of Samhan

1. The Relationship between the Identity of the Republic of Korea and Samhan

2. Historical Usage of the Term “Samhan” and the Three Kingdoms’ Self-awareness

3. Samhan as a Geographical Representation

Week 6

The Stem of Korean Thought in the Korean Language

1. Chinese Characters and the Chinese-character Cultural Sphere

2. Various Native Language Writing Systems in East Asia

3. The Germ of Korean Thought Remaining in Idu and Hyangchal

Self-awareness and Formation of Korean Philosophy

YoungWook Kim, Innsuk Park, Ilgyu Chang, Hae-Ryoon Ma, Si-Cheon Kim, Woogwun Na

University students interested in Korean philosophy

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Humanities

Introductory

This course introduces the flow and direction of Korean philosophy, based on documentary materials from the late Silla period to Goryeo, during which Korea’s identity was awakened and Korean philosophy was formed. We look at the 7th century, when philosophical exploration took off in earnest (centered on Buddhism), through to the late 12th century of the Goryeo dynasty, focusing on key figures and writings. We also provide previously overlooked sources related to the original form of Korean philosophy.

1. Understand the main outlines of Korean Buddhist philosophy from late Silla to Goryeo.
2. Understand the Daoist tradition through figures like Choe Chiwon, the Seven Worthies in the Bamboo Grove, Yi Gyu-bo, etc. of the Unified Silla and Goryeo periods.
3. Understand the academic discourse in the East Asian region.
4. Understand the fundamental logic of Yogacara Buddhism.
5. Understand the introduction and development of Zen Buddhism.
6. Understand the teaching style of Zen Buddhism found in works like Seonmun Yeomsong (Anthology of Zen Teachings).

Week 1

Dialogue: A Guide to Silla-Goryeo Buddhism

Professors Kim Young-wook, Park In-seok, and Ma Hae-ryun, who teach Buddhist philosophy, offer a broad introduction to Silla-Goryeo Buddhism and guide students through the course content.

Week 2

Woncheuk’s Commentary on the Samdhinirmocana Sutra

Introduces the philosophy of Woncheuk, a Yogacara Buddhist scholar from the Silla period, through his work Commentary on the Samdhinirmocana Sutra

Week 3

Do-ryun’s Commentary on the Yogacara-bhumi

Introduces Do-ryun’s Commentary on the Yogacara-bhumi, which compiles explanations from various Yogacara scholars, alongside the original text.

Week 4

Scholar Monks Studying in China

Introduces the scholar monks from Silla and the Three Kingdoms who studied in China and led East Asian academic discourse, reflecting on their historical significance.

Week 5

Choe Chiwon’s Gyewon Pilgyeong

Explores the thoughts of Choe Chiwon, a Silla scholar, focusing on the syncretism of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism in his collected works Gyewon Pilgyeong

Week 6

Bojo Jinul’s Essentials of Cultivating the Mind

Introduces the Zen thought of Jinul, a leading figure in Goryeo Zen Buddhism, through a reading of his work Essentials of Cultivating the Mind

Week 7

True Enlightenment State Master Hyesim’s Zen Gate Collection of Quotes

Introduces Hyesim’s Zen Gate Collection of Quotes, an extensive anthology of over 1,000 Zen koans and stories, highlighting select original texts.

Week 8

True Enlightenment State Master Hyesim’s “Zen Gate Collection of Quotes” 2

Continues the exploration of Hyesim’s “Zen Gate Collection of Quotes” by examining additional original texts.

Week 9

Bamboo Grove Gathering and Goryeo Daoism

Examines Daoist and artistic traditions of Goryeo by comparing the Bamboo Grove Gathering to the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove.

Week 10

Lay Daoism in Goryeo: The Syncretic Character of Yi Gyu-bo

Introduces the syncretic qualities of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism in Yi Gyu-bo’s poetry and prose, showing his influence in Goryeo thought.

Korean Philosophy in Literacy: from Hanja to Hangeul

Dongcheol Bin, Seokjin Kim, JaeBok Park, Giryang Jeon, Youngho Lee, Hogeun Jeon

University students, graduate students

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Humanities

Advanced

This is the third lecture of the “SKKU KAEP Korean Philosophy-Sourcebook Course,” which revisits the development of Korean philosophy alongside diverse documentary sources. In this lecture, we trace the flow of Korean philosophy centered on the development and expansion of literacy—especially focusing on writing and literacy as mediums for recording thought. Scholars of classical Chinese, ancient texts, history, Korean literature, and philosophy come together to discuss everything from the nature of Chinese characters to comparative translations of modern Confucian classics.

1. Understand the characteristics of Chinese characters and Hangul as recording media.
2. Grasp how literacy in Chinese characters developed and took on a unique trajectory on the Korean Peninsula.
3. Understand and explain the concept and process of Eonhae (vernacular annotations/translations).
4. Understand the process and significance of annotating/translating Buddhist and Confucian scriptures.
5. Discuss original texts of Korean philosophy as textual sources and their translations.

Week 1

Chinese-character Literacy and Ancient Korean Thought: The Origin of Chinese Writing

1. General understanding of what constitutes “writing” and what “characters” are

2. How writing emerged, as seen in examples like oracle bone script and bronze inscriptions

3. Traditional explanations for the origin of Chinese characters

Week 2

From “Characters (文字)” to “Chinese Characters (漢字)” (1): The Birth and Evolution of East Asian Literacy

1. What is writing? “(Spoken) Language and Characters”

2. The birth of writing and record-keeping in China: “urban writing”

3. The development of ancient Chinese characters: “Western Zhou–Spring and Autumn Period scripts, from urban writing to state writing”

Week 3

From “Characters (文字)” to “Chinese Characters (漢字)” (2): From State Writing to Imperial Writing

1. Spread and regionalization of ancient Chinese characters: “Warring States (Six States) scripts, from state writing to local writing”

2. Unification of regional states and the emergence of imperial writing: “Qin and Han characters, from local state scripts to imperial scripts”

3. The spread, transformation, and de-Sinification of Chinese (imperial) characters beyond China: “The birth of Han characters and Han texts”

Week 4

Expansion of Chinese-character Literacy and Confucian Classics — Focusing on Excavated “Analects” in Korea

1. How Chinese characters and Chinese writing were adopted on the Korean Peninsula: an overview of the invention of writing, the adoption of Chinese characters, and how they spread

2. How Confucian classics arrived on the Korean Peninsula, by what media, with special focus on excavated texts of the “Analects”

3. Explaining the spread of Chinese-character culture through textual materials from Lelang (set up by Emperor Wu of Han in the 2nd century BCE)

4. Explaining Confucian classics and educational systems during the Three Kingdoms, comparing “Korean-style wooden texts” with those of China and Japan

5. Proposing a new way to read the “Analects” from excavated sources

Week 5

The Expansion of Chinese-character Literacy and the Gwanggaeto Stele — Focusing on the Concept of Cultural Memory

1. A general explanation of ancient forms of Chinese characters, particularly seal script, clerical script, and standard script

2. Characteristics of the calligraphy on Goguryeo’s Gwanggaeto Stele

3. Differences and the uniqueness of Goguryeo observed by comparing Goguryeo and China of the same time period

Week 6

The Expansion of Chinese-character Literacy in the Three Kingdoms: Baekje’s Written Artifacts

1. An overview of textual artifacts based on recently discovered materials, with a detailed introduction to some items

2. The Hanseong era (Seokchon-dong tomb group, Pungnap Fortress remains, the Seven-Branched Sword and textual materials from Pungnap Fortress)

3. The Ungjin era (the Tomb of King Muryeong and Tomb No. 29 in the royal tomb area, Songsan-ri tomb group, inscribed bricks from Tomb No. 29 in the royal tomb area, and inscribed bricks from Tomb No. 6)

4. The Sabi era (Neungsan-ri tomb group and the Baekje Changwang inscription stone reliquary, the stele text from the royal temple site, the Wangheungsa temple reliquary inscription, the Sataek Jijeok stele, the Buyeo Dongnam-ri wooden tablets, and wooden tablets excavated in 2008 from Bokam-ri in Naju)

Week 7

Tracing the Origins and Uniqueness of Stone Engraving Culture on the Korean Peninsula through Balhae Epitaphs

1. The characteristics and origins of Balhae epitaphs

2. Balhae epitaphs: epitaphs adopting the form of steles

3. The origin of steles and the emergence of tombstone inscriptions

4. The characteristics of Korean-style steles and epitaphs

5. The content of Balhae epitaphs: inscription texts

6. Influence on later periods

Week 8

Literacy and Vernacular Annotation of Buddhist Scriptures: How Have We Understood Chinese-script Buddhist Scriptures?

1. The invention of Hunminjeongeum (Hangul) and vernacular annotation

2. The background to publishing vernacular annotations of Buddhist texts

3. The Gan-gyeong-dogam (State Preceptor's Office) and the vernacular annotation project

4. The publication procedures for Buddhist text annotations

5. Translation styles and features of vernacular Buddhist scriptures

6. The significance and value of vernacular Buddhist texts

Week 9

Literacy and Vernacular Annotation of Confucian Classics

1. Confucianism and how Confucian classics were adopted in Korea

2. Three stages of vernacular annotation of Confucian classics: Gugyeol (口訣), Seokui (釋義), Eonhae (諺解)

3. Gugyeol (口訣): Distinguishing grammatical elements

4. Seokui (釋義): Explaining meanings

5. Eonhae(諺解): Rendering into Hangul

Week 10

Translating Original Texts of Confucian Philosophy and Our Modern Era I: Reading the Analects in the Modern Context — From the Teachings of Classics to Life’s Grammar

1. The transmission and acceptance of Confucian classics on the Korean Peninsula

2. Translations of the Analects in the traditional era: “Saseo Yulgok Eonhae (四書栗谷諺解)”

3. Translations of the Analects in the traditional era: “Gwanbon Chilseo Eonhae (官本七書諺解)”

4. Translations in the modern era: Choi Nam-seon’s “Sonyeon Non-eo (少年論語)”

5. Conclusion: The development process of translating Confucian texts from the traditional to the modern era

Week 11

Translating Original Texts of Confucian Philosophy and Our Modern Era II: The History and Types of Reading the “Analects” in Modern Korea

1. Translations of the Analects in the 1950s

2. Translations of the Analects in the 1960s

3. Translations of the Analects in the 1970s

4. Translations of the Analects in the 1980s

5. Translations of the Analects in the 1990s

Philosopher's Reading 1: Korean Political Thought in the Past and Present

Youngsun Back, Ahyoung Lee, Kyung Rok Kwon

General

Jungin Lee

Humanities

Introductory

When we think about Korean Thought or Korean Philosophy, much of the focus tends to fall on prominent thinkers, their writings, and their intellectual debates. Korean Political Thought, however, while not entirely neglected, remains relatively underexplored and insufficiently appreciated. Yet it is important to remember that most Korean Confucians were not merely intellectuals. They aspired to put their ideas into practice, seeking to realize an ideal Confucian society. In that sense, they were also political actors, whether or not they held official positions, and are often referred to as scholar-officials. It is therefore crucial to understand their political visions, how their ideas shaped Korean society, and what lessons they offer for making our own world a better place. This lecture series, consisting of eight thought-provoking sessions, provides an engaging introduction to Korean Political Thought. It is designed for both those already familiar with Korean philosophy and those encountering it for the first time.

The series is divided into two parts: pre-modern Korea and contemporary Korea. In exploring Korean Political Thought during the Joseon Dynasty, Dr. Ahyoung Lee has selected five significant political events for close examination: (1) the foundation of the Joseon dynasty, (2) the Manchu invasions of Joseon, (3) the Coup of 1623 (King Injo’s Restoration), (4) the shifting dynamics of international relations involving Joseon, which ultimately culminated in Japan’s annexation of Korea, and (5) the March First Movement, a pivotal moment in Korea’s struggle for independence.

In the second part of this series, Dr. Kyungrok Kwon shifts the focus to contemporary Korean society. Through three lectures, he examines the evolution of Confucian values across the spheres of family, society, and politics. He further explores how Confucian traditions engage with contemporary values such as gender equality, equal citizenship, and democracy within each of these domains.

1. Identifymajor political events in the history of the Joseon dynasty and explaintheir significance from a Confucian perspective. from a Confucian perspective.

2. Identifymajor political events in the history of the Joseon dynasty and explaintheir significance from a Confucian perspective.

3. Discussthe evolving role of Confucian values in contemporary Korean society, particularly in relation to family, gender, and citizenship.

4. Evaluateboth the tensions and continuities between Confucian traditions and modern democratic ideals in Korea.

5. Reflecton the relevance of Korean Political Thought in addressing current global sociopolitical challenges.

Week 1

The Foundation of Joseon Dynasty and Political Legitimacy

1. Opening for “Korean Political Thought in the Past and Present”

2. Introduction

3. Historical Event: The Foundation of New Dynasty

4. Key concepts: Political Legitimacy and the Mandate of Heaven

5. Paper Reading: Youngsun Back’s “Who Should Ascend the Throne?

6. [QnA] Bridging Past and Present Historical and Modern Insights on Political Legitimacy

7. Closing Remarks

Week 2

King Injo's Restoration

1. Introduction

2. Historical Event: the Injo Restoration of 1623

3. Key Concepts: Mencius on Deposing a Ruler and Conditions for a Legitimate Restoration

4. Paper: A Critical Review of Neo-Confucian Legitimacy about King Injo's Restoration

5. [Q&A] Virtue and Legitimacy: Reexamining the Justification of the Injo Restoration

6. Closing remarks

Week 3

International Order: China-Centered Tributary System

1. Introduction

2. Key Concepts: China-Centered International Order

3. Historical Background: Key Moments in the Joseon-China Relationship

4. Paper Discussions

5. [QnA] The Lost Lord, the Remaining Way: Joseon’s Tribute, Loyalty, and Civilizational Succession

6. Closing remarks

Week 4

Confucian Theory of Just War

1. Introduction

2. Historical Event: the Manchu invasions and the intense debate

3. Key concepts: Confucian Theory of Just War and Concept of Hua-yi Distinction

4. Paper Reading: Making Peace with the Barbarians

5. [Q&A] Exploring Confucian Just War Theory and Hua-Yi Distinction

6. Closing remarks

Week 5

Colonization and Korea’s Independence Movement

1. Introduction

2. Historical Event: Japan’s Colonization of Korea and Korea’s Independence Movement

3. Key concept: Confucian Concept of Min 民

4. Paper Reading: Two Theories of Self-Determination

5. [Q&A] Confucianism and Post-colonization Political Philosophy

6. Closing remarks

Week 6

Family System and Norms in Korea and Confucian Human Rights Theory

1. Introduction

2. The importance of Confucianism in Korean political philosophy

3. Feminist movements in contemporary Korea

4. Marriage, Ancestral rites, Family Obligations, and Filial Piety

5. Human Rights theory in Confucian Political Philosophy

6. Conclusion

Week 7

Civil Society and Nun-chi in Korean Culture

1. Introduction

2. The development of civil society

3. Political philosophy for modern Korean civil society

4. Concept of Nun-chi

5. Nun-chi for contemporary civil society of Korea

6. Conclusion

Week 8

Korean Democracy and Confucian Virtue Politics

1. Introduction

2. The impeachment of Park Geun-hye

3. Sewol ferry disaster and Park’s political legitimacy

4. Confucian Sentimental Representation

5. Further Discussion about Affective Accountability

6. Conclusion