Nth Am. Korean Philosophy Assn Newsletter

The NAKPA COURIER: A Quarterly E-Newsletter of the North American Korean Philosophy Association

No. 7, Oct, 2015

Greetings from the Desktop Editor

 

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

Greetings—

I trust you are doing splendidly and enjoying the season.

In this issue of the NAKPA Courier, you are able to find the full program of the sessions on Korean philosophy at the upcoming NAKPA conference in Toronto (University of Toronto, Dec. 4-5, 2015), the Eastern APA (American Philosophical Associations) meetings in New York (note the new dates in early Jan, 2016. For details, see the relevant section below) as well as the Pacific APA meetings. Also in this issue is the New York Times interview with David Haekwon Kim, our group secretary.

I am also happy to pass on the news that Sungmoon Kim of the City University of Hong Kong will receive an award for Outstanding Academic Output from South Korea’s Ministry of Education for his book, Confucian Democracy in East Asia: Theory And Practice (Cambridge University Press, 2014). Congratulations, Sungmoon!

As for the next annual NAKPA meetings on Korean philosophy (a sequel to the inaugural Omaha conference 2014), University of Toronto (Canada) will be our venue as Professor Byeong-Uk Yi will be the host with limited funding for the meetings. Prof. Graham Priest will be the keynote speaker. For inquiries, please email: nakpa.workshop@gmail.com.

I am still looking for two bibliographers on Korean philosophy for this newsletter, one for the latest literature published in the Korean language, the other for the non-Korean literature. If you want to serve in this function or know someone who can do that, please give me a holler.

Also do not forget: If you have a publication that appeared recently or will appear soon, or if you have any suggestions about our operations, please let me know. I will be happy to circulate the news on the cyber-space.

By the way, if you receive this email, it is because you are on my list as a member of the NAKPA or a potential member. If you would like to be removed from the group email, please let me know. I plan to issue an e-newsletter on a quarterly basis (February, May, August and December).

Once again I hereby send you my best regards on half of the NAKPA board, Hwa Yol, Jin, and David.–

Best,

Halla

 

Halla Kim

Department of Philosophy

University of Nebraska at Omaha

Omaha, NE 68182

hallakim@unomaha.edu

(402) 554-3934

(402) 201-9914

 

Call for Papers

Paper abstracts should be 150-200 words in length. Complete panel proposals should include: panel title, a 150 word introduction to the theme of the panel, and a 150 word abstract for each of the papers. Include each presenter’s name, e-mail address, and institutional affiliation.

 

1.      The 2016 Annual NAKPA Conference

Venue, TBA

Circa October, 2016

Send enquires to: hallakim@unomaha.edu

 

2.      The Eastern APA: The Late Prof. Kwang-sei Lee Memorial Session

Baltimore MD Jan. 4-7, 201

Contact: Prof. Jung-Yeup Kim (Kent State Univ) and Bongrae Seok (Alvernia Univ)

 

The North American Korean Philosophy Association (NAKPA)

NAKPA was founded in 2013. We are now an affiliate group of the American Philosophical Association. The notion of Korean philosophy here shall be understood broadly enough to cover not only the traditional philosophy such as the Buddhist philosophies of Wonhyo and Jinul or for that matter the Joseon Neo-Confucianism but also the contemporary philosophy done on important current topics in and out of Korea by philosophers of Korean extraction or by those who are interested in philosophy in Korea. At this point, there are neither dues nor special membership requirements for NAKPA. For further information, please contact Halla Kim, Department of Philosophy, University of Nebraska at Omaha, NE 68182 hallakim@unomaha.edu

  

                                                         Membership Data-Base

 

If you have any announcement to make about the upcoming conferences, call for papers, or new publications that are broadly related to Korean philosophy, please do let us know – we will circulate them in the next issue of the e-newsletter. NAKPA is also making a data-base of institutions with courses that are broadly related to Korean philosophy by way of the English language. Please let us know if you teach one or know any. We would appreciate it. Also, for the effective delivery of the regular newsletter at the end of year, please fill out the membership application form at the end of our home page http://www.unomaha.edu/philosophy/news.php and send or email it to Halla Kim if you have not done so.  

 

As for the NAKPA constitution and the organization of the group and its activities, it is posted on our home page at the cyberspace of Halla Kim’s home department at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, http://www.unomaha.edu/philosophy/news.php

 

 

 

 

Announcements

 

University of San Francisco’s Center for Asia Pacific Studies (Director Dr. Melissa S. Dale) invites all those who are interested in their visiting scholars program to apply. The Center for Asia Pacific Studies promotes and fosters research, public programs and teaching focused on Greater China, Japan, Korea, the Philippines, and India. For example, its research focus:

 

•The Center organizes and hosts academic symposia and conferences on topics related to the history, culture, and politics of the Asia Pacific region.

•The Center annually funds fellowships designed to bring leading scholars to campus to work on center projects and publications and to promote interaction between these scholars and USF’s faculty and students.

•Three times a year, the Center hosts the Chinese Studies Research Group to bring together scholars and graduate students from the San Francisco Bay Area working in the field of Chinese Studies to meet and discuss their research.

•The Center welcomes visiting scholars to be in residence at USF for three to six months to promote independent research in the field and to contribute to the building of academic bridges across the Pacific. Visit https://www.usfca.edu/center-asia-pacific/visitingscholars/

 

The New York Times Interview with David Kim (Oct. 8, 2015)

 

This is the latest in a series of interviews about philosophy of race that George Yancy (Univ of North Carolina) has been conducting for The Stone. This conversation is with David Haekwon Kim, an associate professor of philosophy and the director of the Global Humanities initiative at the University of San Francisco and the author of several essays on Asian-American identity. Please click the link below and if it does not work, simple google “The invisible Asian” and that will do!

 

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/10/08/the-invisible-asian/?_r=0

 

 

 

Upcoming Conferences on Korean Philosophy

 

 

           

 

[if !supportLists]·         [endif]The Annual NAKPA Conference

Venue: University of Toronto

Date: Dec. 4-5

Host professor: Byeong-Uk Yi (University of Toronto)

Keynote Speaker: Graham Priest (CUNY)

 

Dec. 4, 2016 Friday

 

10:00-11:00am

Jin Y. Park (American University)

“Philosophizing and Power: East-West Encounter in the Formation of Modern Korean Buddhist Philosophy”

 

11:00-12:00pm

Halla Kim (University of Nebraska at Omaha)

“Emptiness in Jinul and Dasan”

 

12:00-2:00pm

Lunch

 

2:00-3:00pm

Sunhee Kim (Ehwa Women’s Univ, South Korea)

“Orthodoxy, Heterodoxy, and Civilization: Re-reading Sŏng-ho School (星湖學派)’s Conflicts and Controversies over the Western Learning in Joseon “

 

3:00-4:00pm

Youngsun Back (City Univ of Hong Kong)

“Sages and the Rest of Us: The Views of Zhu Xi and Jeong Yagyong “

 

4:00-5:00pm

In Bang (Kyungpuk National University, South Korea)

“Divination and Revelation in Dasan Jeong Yagyong’s View on the Changes

 

5:00-6:00pm

Graham Priest (CUNY)

Keynote Lecture, “The Net of Indra”

 

6:30pm-:830pm

Dinner and reception at city center

 

Dec. 6, Sat

 

10:00-11:00am

David Kim (Univ of San Francisco)

“On Two Modes of Revitalizing Morality: Dasan’s Divine Witness and Donghak’s Sacral Projection”

 

11:00-12:00pm Hwa Yol Jung – President’s Farewell Lecture

“Phenomenology, Transversality, and World Philosophy”

 

Lunch

Excursion to the Great Falls

Dinner

 

Tour of Toronto & Vicinity on Dec. 7 (voluntary)

 

Accommodation near Bloor St & St George St for December 4-5 2015

 

Holiday Inn Toronto Bloor Yorkville  

Around $107 per night

Address: 280 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON M5S 1V8, Canada

Phone:+1 416-968-0010

 

 

University of Toronto Graduate House Guest Rooms

http://gradhouse.utoronto.ca/guest-rooms/

60 Harbord St

Single: $55/night

Double: $85/night

 

 

Sweetheart B&B

http://sweetheartbb.com/

72 Henry St

 

[if !supportLists]·         [endif]APA Eastern Division 2016

 

Jan. 4-7, 2016, New York

 

NAKPA Session 1: Wednesday, January 6 – 12:30-2:30

 

Panel Title: Feminist Philosophy in Asian and Korean Traditions

 

The panel provides a philosophical conversation between Korean philosophy and Asian philosophical traditions. The panelists will discuss diverse feminist approaches to Asian philosophy and explore the possibilities of feminist philosophy where one can find its unique voice in culturally specific but globally relevant forms of moral discourse and ethical values.

 

 Session 1: Feminist Philosophy in Asian and Korean Traditions

Chair: Bongrae Seok (Alvernia University)

Leah Kalmanson (Drake University) – Be the Change You Want to See? Feminism, Qi-Cosmology, and Structural Change

Ann Pang-White (University of Scranton) – Rereading the Canon: The Book of Mencius and the Dynamic of Power

Jin Y. Park (American University) – Doing Philosophy from the Margin: Women and Buddhist Philosophy

Hwa Yeong Wang (State University of New York, Binghamton) – Korean Tradition and Confucian Rituals for Women

 

 

 Abstracts

 Leah Kalmanson (Drake University)

 Title: “Be the Change You Want to See?”: Feminism, Qi-Cosmology, and Structural Change

 Abstract: Feminist analysis tends to focus on structural causes of oppression. Indeed, teaching feminism at the undergraduate level usually involves coaxing students away from the naive belief that personal self-development can effectively change society for the better. Although I do not mean to suggest a return to a naive focus on personal change, I do wish to reconsider the meaning of “structural change” with resources from qi-cosmology. In neo-Confucian writings on the relation between li and qi, li is the principle that structures and expresses order in qi. Achieving optional order in the cosmos is often seen as an outgrowth of personal qi-cultivation practices. What is the relation between a well-structured heart-mind, a well-structured society, and a well-structured cosmos? How might this qi-cosmology help us rethink the relation between personal transformation and societal change in contemporary feminist discourse? This presentation is a preliminary exploration of these questions.

 

 Ann Pang-White (University of Scranton)

 Title: “Rereading the Canon: The Book of Mencius and the Dynamic of Power”

 Abstract: Confucian philosophy is often seen as antagonistic to feminist philosophy. This paper examines the maternal and feminine influence on Mencius and the narrative embedded in the Book of Mencius. It aims to restructure Mencius’ social and political teaching through such a new reading of canonical texts. The paper will further compare Mencius’ philosophy with social contract theory, political realism, and feminist ethics of care so as to draw out aspects of Mencius’ philosophy that may be relevant for feminist consideration.

 

 Jin Y. Park (American University)

 Title: “Doing Philosophy from the Margin: Women and Buddhist Philosophy”

Abstract: This paper aims to identify the nature of women’s and Buddhist philosophies, by addressing their shared characteristic as philosophy. This will also function to mark the limits of male-dominated philosophizing. To this end, I explore the life and philosophy of a twentieth century Korean Zen Master, Kim Iryŏp. Iryŏp’s Buddhist philosophy demonstrates a multi-layered encounter between women and Buddhism , and she utilized the Buddhist concept of non-self to critique the ground of gendered identity. Iryŏp’s Buddhism also shows a priority of lived experience and narrative over theorization and rationality. The goal of Buddhism is to eliminate suffering and to emphasize the importance of lived experience, as has been well recorded in Buddhist literature. Putting together women’s and Buddhist philosophies shows us the possibility of a new way of philosophizing with a focus on individuals’ experiences and the process of meaning production, instead of relying on constructed systems to render the meaning of our existence.

 

 Hwa Yeong Wang (State University of New York, Binghamton)

 Title: Korean Tradition and Confucian Rituals for Women

 Abstract: Ritual or ritual propriety () cannot be overestimated within Confucian tradition. However, it has been the main target for feminist criticism since their encounter in the twentieth century and it still remains largely unexplored or ignored by both feminist and Confucian philosophers. This paper attempts to fill the gap from philosophical perspective by demonstrating Korean tradition, “Learning of Rituals” (yehak 禮學), the unique feature of Korean Confucianism that distinguishes it from the development of Confucianism in other countries such as China, Japan or Vietnam. This paper will present Korean tradition of Confucian rituals for women and modern feminist approach toward it.

 

 

NAKPA Session 2  

Thursday, January 7 – 7:30-10:30 p,m

 

Title: Korean Philosophy: What is it? What to study?

The panelists will bring in diverse philosophical viewpoints in classical Korean philosophy and discuss whether Korean philosophy a distinct stream of Asian philosophical tradition and whether it can be studied and taught as a serious intellectual discipline.

 

Chair: Suk G. Choi (Towson University)

Jung Yeup Kim (Kent State University): Challenges of Teaching Korean Philosophy and Methods of Managing Them

 

Pascal Kim (The Academy of Korean Studies): Korean Buddhism and Psychology: Wŏnch’ŭk and William James on Consciousness

 

Dobin Choi (SUNY Buffalo): Korean Moral Philosophy in “Silhak (Practical Learning)” Tradition: Dasan’s Notion of Moral Autonomy and Consequential Virtue

 

Suk G. Choi (Towson University): The Horak Debate as an Exemplar of Korean Neo-Confucianism

 

 

 Abstracts

 Jung Yeup Kim (Kent State University)

 Challenges of Teaching Korean Philosophy and Methods of Managing Them In this paper, I revisit an APA newsletter article entitled “Teaching Chinese Philosophy: A Survey of the Field” (Volume 11 number 1, Fall 2011). I investigate if identical or similar challenges that are articulated in this article in relation to teaching Chinese philosophy may emerge for those teaching Korean philosophy. Furthermore, I inquire into whether there may be additional challenges to teaching Korean philosophy due to unique conceptual features that pertain to Korean philosophy itself, and to the specific situation in which those who teach/research Korean philosophy in the 21st century are situated in. Finally, I search for various solutions that may be used to manage such challenges.

 

 Pascal Kim (The Academy of Korean Studies) Korean Buddhism and Psychology: Wŏnch’ŭk and William James on Consciousness

 If I were to change the question from what is Korean Philosophy to, how does one define Korean Philosophy as Korean Philosophy, then what sort of variables would be in operation to provide an appropriate answer? A case in point: Wŏnch’ŭk (圓測; 613~696), having spent most of his life in China, influenced by Chinese masters, especially Xuanzang and his New Yogācāra epistemology, is it possible to claim Wŏnch’ŭk, on one hand, as a “Korean” philosopher? On the other, does his work constitute “Korean Philosophy?” It is well known that Wŏnch’ŭk’s Commentary on the Saṃdhinirmocana-sūtra (解深密經疏) greatly influenced Tsongkhapa, an erudite Tibetan teacher whose logical arguments, for instance, against the existence of the 9th consciousness proposed by Paramārtha (真諦 499-569 CE), extensively quoted Wŏnch’ŭk’s analysis on the issue and later on, had set up his own logical objection based on Madhyamaka interpretation. Even Chinul (知訥 1158~1210) could not be claimed as a “Korean monk-scholar” without the undercurrent Huayen (華嚴)and Meditation tradition () from China. In this paper, I will approach the subject of the uniqueness of “Korean Philosophy” first, from a comparative not ontological perspective, and second, by analyzing Wŏnch’ŭk’s view on ālaya-vijñāna with William James’s notion of “consciousness” as a comparative heuristic tool in understanding the issue at hand.

 

 Dobin Choi (State University of New York, Buffalo): Korean Moral Philosophy in Silhak (Practical Learning) Tradition: Dasan’s Notion of Moral Autonomy and Consequential Virtue

 

 This paper investigates Dasan Jeong Yagyong (다산 정약용, 1762–1836)’s innovative interpretation of Neo-Confucian moral thoughts. Dasan, exhibiting radical modification of conventional interpretations on Mengzi, claims the four cardinal virtues (인의예지, 仁義禮智) is accomplished full-fledged in terms of the proper consequences of agents’ performances of virtuous actions. Also, he argues that people are endowed the faculty of autonomous thinking (자주지권, 自主之權), often comparable to the notion of free will, to choose performing either good or evil actions in one’s own right. Many commentators ascribe Dasan’s radical views on Mengzi directly to the influence of Western philosophy and theology, but I argue that Dasan’s modification in fact reveals the neglected core notions in Mengzi. Similar to Dasan’s reading, I argue, Mengzi also puts stress on the performance of virtue to attain appropriate consequences, and assigns to the agent the right to autonomously determine the moral value by her reflective thinking. Hence, it is too hasty to conclude Dasan’s radical interpretation of Mengzi is solely attributed to the influence of Western thoughts. Rather, his innovative criticism on Mengzi and conventional Neo-Confucian thoughts demonstrate the originality of Korean philosophy especially in Silhak tradition.

 

 Suk G. Choi (Towson University)

 The Horak Debate as an Exemplar of Korean Neo-Confucianism

 This paper aims to approach the issue of how to identify Korean philosophy by exploring the Horak Debate in the history of Korean Neo-Confucianism. The Horak Debate was developed in the eighteenth century. The motivation of the debate can be traced back to the “Four-Seven Debate” in the sixteenth century, and this debate also stimulated another significant discussion on human mind in the nineteenth century. It is widely agreed that these philosophical debates have contributed modern Korean Neo-Confucianism. So, in order to reflect upon the identity of Korean philosophy, it is a necessary step to understand historically and philosophically what the Horak Debate was about and how Korean Neo-Confucians developed their claims. One of the core topics that evoked the debate is whether humans and non-human animals share the same ‘nature.’ This topic is closely related to other Neo-Confucian core issues such as the i-ki (li-qi) framework, the relationship between nature, mind, and emotions, self-cultivation, and so on. This presentation will seek to examine not only sensitive disagreements between participants in the debate regarding these topics, but also differences between philosophical developments in the debate and the Cheng/Zhu-Lu/Wang debate in Chinese Neo-Confucianism.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[if !supportLists]·         [endif]APA Pacific Division (March 30-April 3, 2015, San Francisco)

 

Session 1. “The Korean Way of Doing Philosophy Today” (April 1 likely)

Chair: Halla KIM (Univ of Nebraska at Omaha)

hallakim@unomaha.edu

 

Speaker 1: Sukjae LEE (Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea)

Email: leesukjae@snu.ac.kr

Title: “Agendas or Antiquarian Interests:

Thinking about Comparative Philosophy through the Lens of the History of Philosophy”

 

Abstract:

In this paper, following Daniel Garber, I begin by distinguishing two broad approaches in doing the history of philosophy: (1) the ‘Antiquarian’ approach, which is fundamentally disinterested and disengaged in that it recognizes deep differences between the past and present, and allows this recognition to reveal key differences in the basic assumptions that each time period makes; and (2) the ‘Agenda’ approach, which is more agenda driven, approaching the past with a specific set of interests or goals in mind, engaging the past to bridge the present and past with this goal in mind.

I then go on to examine critically Garber’s suggestion that the former approach be taken by those who engage in comparative philosophy as well, and argue that in the case of doing comparative philosophy in Korea, there might be some reasons to adopt the Agenda approach as well.

 

2 Seung-Chong LEE (Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea)

Email: seungcho@yonsei.ac.kr

Title: “Retrieving Lost Memories: Toward a Philosophy of Early Korean History”

 

Abstract:

Despite her long history, Korea has lost her early historical records almost completely. Korea has interpreted her early history depended on the ancient Chinese scriptures tarnished by the sinocentrism and Confucian culture. Later historians of Korea used them, and moved on to the next steps without any critical reexamination and therefore voluntarily fell into the trap of minor sinocentrism. Fortunately, Korea has kept a historical tale on her birth, known as the Dangun mythology. We will peruse it and identify some significant philosophemes as well as mythemes such as light, darkness, clearing, welfare, heaven, earth, and man. By analyzing and rearranging them in some ingenious way, we will deepen the insight into the proto philosophy of Korea and sketch the form (Gestalt) of the culture of the oldest nation (Gojoseon) ever found in her history. We will show that the ancient philosophy of Korea is different from that of China in many respects and that it is based on an authentic appropriation of shamanism of the north eastern Asia. We will claim that the interpretation of early Korean history from the viewpoint of a sinocentric order has to be critically reconsidered.

 

 

3. Nam-In LEE (Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea)

Email: naminlee@snu.ac.kr

Title: “Toward the Ethics of Renewal Developed through a Dialogue between Husserl and Confucius”

 

Abstract:

It is the aim of this paper to reconstruct the ethics of renewal in Husserl and Confucius, to evaluate them and to sketch the future tasks of the ethics of renewal. In sections 1-2, I will reconstruct the ethics of renewal in Husserl and Confucius. In section 3, I will deal with the various dimensions of the ethics of renewal. In section 4, I will show that the ethics of renewal in Husserl and Confucius are incomplete and that it is one of the future tasks of the ethics of renewal to make Husserl’s and Confucius’ ethics of renewal more complete through a dialogue with one another. In section 5, I will close by pointing out some further future tasks of the ethics of renewal.

 

———————————————————————

 

Session 2: “Korean Philosophy and Japanese Philosophy” (April 2 likely)

Chair: Halla KIM (Univ of Nebraska at Omaha)

hallakim@unomaha.edu

 

1. Wonsuk CHANG (Academy of Korean Studies, Seoul, Korea)

Title: “The Fate of Naturalism in Early Modern East Asian Confucianisms“

Email: wnskchng@gmail.com

 

Abstract:

In this article, I inquire into various post-Zhu Xi treatment of the ultimate reality in Chinese, Korean, and Japanese Confucianism. In particular, I will examine this theme in Wang Fuzhi (1619–1692), Cho’e Hanki (1803–1879), and Ogyu Sorai (1666–1728). In doing this, I will examine Maruyama Masao’s seminal thesis that early modern Japanese thinkers, with their political and moral dichotomy, were the forerunners of modernity and helped lead Japan towards becoming a western-style aggressive nation-state.  The consequences of similar agnostic attitudes by Ogyu Sorai and Cho’e Hanki toward the heavens () will then be discussed. Assuming the naturalist position, that the continuity between fact and value is more strongly maintained among Chinese and Korean post- Zhu-Xi Confucians, I will interpret the implications of this for the early modern era as well as for the current period of post-modern sensibilities

 

2 Woo Sung HUH (Kyunghee University, Seoul, Korea)

Email: woohuh@hanmail.net

Title: “Knowing Others: Koreans & Japanese”

 

Abstract:

This article aims to raise the question of how to reduce the nationalistic sentiment in Koreans, and how to enhance Japanese understanding of Koreans and our history. The introduction part of this article focuses on two modern thinkers, Han Yongun (1879-1944) and Nishida Kitaro (1870-1945), who lived in nearly the same period which was defined by empire and colonialism. They tried to find a theoretical basis of their thought and behavior in their own Buddhist traditions, but in a very different manner that led to vastly different conclusions. Nishida dealt with the problem of others in a few articles written in 1930s. But it appears that he never mentioned Korea and totally ignored the history of the Korean people. Thus Nishida’s dealing with the problem of others seems to be very inadequate, at least to Koreans’ eyes. On the other hand, Japan was omnipresent in Han’s thoughts and writings. Therefore there is a stark contrast between Han’s knowledge of Japan and Nishida’s indifference to Korea. Then how can we strike a balance between Koreans and Japanese in their knowledge of others? This question cannot be completely answered without raising another question of how Koreans share the memory of the 20th century with Japanese people. Koreans should also be ready to ask ourselves what we are lacking in perceiving the contemporary Japanese. Once we get to know the answer, we have to face the next part of the question, the question of history education in each nation. This is basically a political question which goes beyond the ability of scholars in many ways. This paper gives an honest effort to reach an understanding and peace between two peoples.

 

3. Gereon KOPF (Luther College)

Email: kopfg@luther.edu

Title: “Can an Individual be THE One? Nishida’s Dialectic and Postcolonial Rhetoric”

 

Abstract:

NISHIDA Kitarō, the founder of the Kyoto school, has been criticized for his alleged advocacy of Japanese militarism and imperialism during the Pacific war. While it is hard to determine if and, in the case he did, to what degree he actively supported the military effort itself, it is clear that some of his writings in the early 1940s have nationalistic overtones to say the least. In his essays “The Problem of Japanese Culture” (日本文化の問題) and the “Principles of a new World Order” (世界新秩序の原理), Nishida uses the rhetoric of the “many-and-yet-one” (issokuta 一即多) to argue for a special role of the Japanese emperor and, by extension, Japan in world history. Apologetics of Nishida philosophy interpret these passages as Nishida’s merely rhetorical concession to the ideologues of the military while his critics see them as an indication that Nishida backed the imperialistic ideology of pre-war Japan. While I believe that the truth lies somewhere in the middle, I will resist from entering this political debate. 

 

Rather I will focus on Nishida’s application of the phrase “one-and-yet-many” to political philosophy. Concretely, the current paper will argue that Nishida’s application of the abstract principle that he gleans from Huayan non-dualism to historical realities falls into the ideological trap of identity politics. Following Jin Y. Park’s suggestion that Fazang’s rhetoric of the “fourfold dharma-world” (四法界) is inherently egalitarian and reveals an affinity to postmodern discourses, despite various attempts throughout history to appropriate it in support of hegemonic discourses. This paper will show how the rhetoric of the “one-and-yet-many” similarly discloses an inherent egalitarianism, subverts hegemonic discourses, and empowers post-colonial discourses. It will propose the blueprint for a theory of cosmopolitanism based on the principle of “many-and-yet-one” that reveals identity discourses as well as power structures and provides the vision for a being-with (miteinander-sein) among diverse persons, communities, and peoples. I will call such a theory “dynamic multiculturalism.”

 

————————————————————

Additionally, we have a third session on Korean and Comparative Philosophy (Thurs,

March 31, 9am-12pm.):

“Comparing East Asian Philosophies”

 

Moderator: Halla Kim (Univ of Nebraska at Omaha)

 

[if !supportLists]1.      [endif]Heisook Kim (Ehwa Women’s Univ, South Korea) “Toward Critical Confucianism:

     A Contemporary Reappropriation of Confucianism in China and Korea”

[if !supportLists]2.      [endif]Charles Muller (Univ of Tokyo, Japan), TBA

[if !supportLists]3.      [endif]Jung Yeup Kim (Kent State University), TBA

 

 

 

 

Recent Venues on Korean Philosophy

 

 

[if !supportLists]·         [endif]APA Pacific Division Meetings (April 1-5, 2015, The Westin Bayshore, Vancouver, Canada). 

 

Friday, April 3, 9am-noon (session 7D.)

Book Symposium: Sungmoon Kim, Confucian Democracy in East Asia: Theory and Practice

Moderator: David Kim (Univ of San Francisco)

Speakers:

Stephen Angle (Wesleyan University)

David Elstein (State University of New York at New Paltz)

Jeff Flynn (Fordham University)

Sungmoon Kim (City University of Hong Kong)

 

 

[if !supportLists]·         [endif]APA Central Division 2015

APA Central Division Meetings (Feb. 18-21, 2015, Hilton St. Louis At The Ballpark)

Session Title: The Yijing Studies in Korean Philosophy (2-hour session)

Thursday Afternoon, February 19: 12:10–2:10 p.m. (cont.)

II-O. APA Committee Session: The Yijing Studies in Korean Philosophy

Arranged by the APA Committee on the Status of Asian and Asian- American Philosophers and Philosophies

 

Moderator: Prof. Chaehyun CHONG (Sogang Univ, South Korea).

 

Speakers:

1. Prof. In BANG (Kyungpook National Univ, South Korea), “Simulation and Philosophical Therapy: Semiotic Re-interpretation of Dasan Jeong Yagyong’s view on the Zhouyi”

Commentator: Halla KIM (Univ. Nebraska, Omaha),

 

2. Halla KIM (Univ. Nebraska, Omaha), “Kwon Kun and the Structure of the World in his Yijing Interpretation”

Commentator: Prof. In BANG (KyungPook National Univ, South Korea)

 

[if !supportLists]·         [endif]Korean and Comparative Philosophy and History of Philosophy

Date: 11-13 December 2014

Venue: P4704, AC1, City University of Hong Kong

Host: P. J. Ivanhoe and Sungmoon Kim (CUHK)

 

12 December (Friday)

 

9:00- 9:15 Welcoming Remarks: Philip J. Ivanhoe and Sungmoon Kim

9:15-10:15 Keynote speech: Another Look at Yi Hwang’s Views about Li and Qi : A Case of

                  Time-lag in the Transmission of Chinese Originals to Korea (Yung Sik Kim)

10:15-11:15 From Structure to Action: The Concepts of Ch’e and Yong in Kwŏn Kŭn (Halla

                    Kim)

11:15-11:35 Break

11:35-12:35 An Ethic of Guidance in the Quest for Well-Being (Michael Kalton)

12:50-2:50   Lunch

3:00-4:00     A Hermeneutics of Confucian-Christian Ecology of Filial Piety as a Global Ecology

                    (Jung sun Oh)

4:00-4:20 Break

4:20-5:20 Ligi of Nature and Ligi of Mind/Heart: A Reflection on Physical Law and Moral

                Norm in Korean Neo-Confucianism (Hyoungchan Kim)

5:20-6:20 Burdens of Modernity: Formation of Buddhist Philosophy in Paek Sŏnguk and Inoue

                 Enryō (Jin Y. Park)

6:30 Dinner at Hotel Plaza Metropolis

 

13 December (Saturday)

09:30-10:30 Keynote speech: On “Confucian Constitutionalism” in Korea: A Metacommentary

                    (Hwa Yol Jung)

10:30-10:50 Break

10:50-11:50 Doing Tasan’s Philosophy Analytically (Seung-Chong Lee)

12:00-2:00   Lunch

2:00-3:00     Joseon’s Post-Daoxue (脫道學) Trend in the 17th-Century Discourse on Publicity

                    (Soon-Woo Chung)

3:00-3:20 Break

3:20-4:20 Confucianism at a Crossroads: Confucianism and Democracy in KoreaYoung (Chan

                Ro)

4:20-4:40 Break

4:40-5:40 Religiosity in Filial Piety and Brotherly Love in Korean Confucianism (So-Yi Chung)

 

http://www6.cityu.edu.hk/ceacop/kpcp/Conference_2014.pdf

 

[if !supportLists]·         [endif]APA Eastern Division 2014

INAUGURAL NAKPA SESSION I

Korean Neo-Confucianism

Chair: Bongrae Seok (Alvernia Univ.)

Session GIII-1 Sunday Dec. 28 11:15am-1:15pm

Speakers:

Young Chan Ro (George Mason Univ.) – A Non-Dualistic Approach to Yi Yulgok’s Neo-Confucian Philosophy

Hongkyung Kim (SUNY Stony Brook) – Pursuit of Universality: Dasan’s Reinterpretation of the Confucian Classics

Weon-Jae Jeong (Seoul National Univ. South Korea) – Korean Confucianism in the Chosun Dynasty and Cheng-Zhu School of Neo-Confucianism

Bongrae Seok (Alvernia Univ.) – Moral Psychology of Emotion and Toegye’s (Yi Hwang’s) Neo-Confucianism

 

 

INAUGURAL NAKPA SESSION II

Korean Transformation of Asian Philosophy and Religion: Ki (Qi) Philosophy and Buddhism

Chair: Suk Choi (Towson Univ.)

Session GVIII-3 Monday Dec. 29 11:15am-1:15pm

Spearkers:

Suk Choi (Towson Univ.) – Ch’oe Han’gi on Ki (Qi) and Mind

So Jeong Park (Nanyang Technological Univ., Singapore) – “Jigi” of Donghak as Experienced Ultimate Energy

Pascal Kim (Academy of Korean Studies, South Korea) – Consciousness Intertwined:  Wŏnch’ŭk and Wŏnhyo on Amalavijñāna

 

Date: 27-29 December 2014

Venue: Marriott, Philadelphia

Organizer: Bongrae Seok

 

For the exact time and room, visit http://www.apaonline.org/

 

 

[if !supportLists]·         [endif]The Spirit of Korean Philosophy: Six Great Debates and their Significance in Asian and Western Philosophies

Date: 22-24 October 2014

Venue: University of Nebraska at Omaha

Host: Halla Kim (University of Nebraska at Omaha)

Sponsor: The Academy of Korean Studies, NAKPA

 

 

[if !supportLists]·         [endif]APA Committee Session: Buddhism as Philosophy in Korea

Arranged by the APA Committee on the Status of Asian and Asian-

American Philosophers and Philosophies

February 27, 2014, APA Central Division, Palmer House, Chicago

12:10pm-2:10pm

Chair: Halla Kim (University of Nebraska–Omaha)

Speakers:

Eunsu Cho (Seoul National University)

“Mind and Reality in Wonhyo’s Philosophy”

 

Jin Y. Park (American University)

“Envisioning Buddhist Ethics”

 

http://www.apaonline.org/

 

•           APA Committee Session: The Development of Confucianism in Korea

 

Arranged by the APA Committee on the Status of Asian and Asian-

American Philosophers and Philosophies

 

Chair: Halla Kim (University of Nebraska–Omaha)

Speakers: 

So-Yi Chung (Sogang University, Korea) “Tasan’s Confucianism” 

Owen Flanagan (Duke University) “The Four-Seven Debate: A New Look” 

Hwa Yol Jung (Moravian College) “Confucian Filial Piety in Theory and Practice in Korea Today” 

Bongrae Seok (Alvernia University) “Korean Neo-Confucianism and Moral Psychology of Emotion: Qing and XingQing”

 

•           Intellectual and Institutional Trends of Korean Studies in North America.

 

Organized by the Academy of Korean Studies

Seoul, Korea. Oct 24-25, 2013.

            Jin Y. Park, “Korean Philosophy: Reviewing the Present and Envisioning the Future” 

            http://www.aks.ac.kr/front/boardView.do

 

•           Conference on KOREAN MODERNITY/COLONIALITY

 

Korean Philosophy Workshop at the University of San Francisco:

Organizer: David Kim

AUGUST 13-14, 2013

“Radical Enchantment in Donghak Syncretism” David H. Kim (U. of San Francisco)

“Kim Iryŏp and a Comparative Philosophy of Religion” Jin Y. Park (American U.)

“Ham Sŏkhŏn and the Rise of Philosophy of History in Korea” Halla Kim (U. of Nebraska)

“The Concept of Minjung: Inventing ‘A People to Come’” Boram Jeong (Duquesne U.)

“The Cunning Practices of the Inauthentic Asian American Woman” Emily S. Lee (CSU, Fullerton)

“Confucian Ritual Propriety for 21st Century South Korea:

A Reconstruction from Traditional Korean Resources,” Jung-Yeup Kim (Kent State U.)

 

Sponsored by the Philosophy Dept, The Mortimer Fleishhacker Fund, The Center for the Pacific Rim, and The Master of Arts in Asia Pacific Studies Program

 

http://usfca.edu/uploadedFiles/Destinations/College_of_Arts_and_Sciences/Undergraduate_Programs/Philosophy/docs/Dawn-KorPhilFlyer.pdf

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Recent Publications

 

 

Young-Sun Back, “Fate and the Good Life: Zhu Xi and Jeong Yagyong’s Discourse on Ming” in

   Dao (June 2015, Volume 14, Issue 2), pp. 255-274.  

Kah-Kyung Cho, “Subject-Alienation as the Basis of Echo-Ethical World View” (East-West

   Endowed Philosophy Lecture, the XXIII World Congress of Philosophy in Athens),

   Proceedings of the World Congress of Philosophy (forthcoming)

Owen Flanagan, Moral Sprouts and Natural Teleologies, The Aquinas Lecture 2014 (Milwaukee: Marquette University Press, 2014)

Sungmoon Kim, Confucian Democracy in East Asia (New York: Cambridge University Press,

   2014)

Jin Y. Park, trans., Reflections of a Zen Buddhist Nun: Essays by Zen Master Kim Iryop

   (Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 2014)

_____. “Buddhist Logic and its Transformation in Korean Zen/Sŏn Buddhism,” International Association for Buddhist Studies Conference. University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria. August 21, 2014.

_____. “Woman and Buddhist Philosophy: Engaging with Zen Master Kim Iryŏp.” St. Lawrence University, Canton, NY. October 1, 2014.

_____. “Logic of Thinking, Logic of Engagement: Zen/Sŏn Buddhism in the Life-World,” Annual Ahnkook Lecture on Korean Buddhism. Harvard University, Boston, MA. October 7, 2014.

 

 

 

Recent Ph.D. Dissertations

 

 

 

Quick News and Jobs, etc.

 

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