Dao Companion to Korean Confucian Philosophy

Professor Ro received his BA from Yonsei University (Korea), an MTh from Union Theological Seminary, Richmond, VA, and his PhD from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Dr. Ro has written The Korean Neo-Confucianism of Yi Yulgok, and co-authored The Four-Seven Debate: An Annotated Translation of the Most Famous Controversy in Korean Neo-Confucian Thought. He is working on a new translation of Dao De Jing. He also published several book chapters in Neo-Confucianism including Ecological Implications of Yi Yulgok's Cosmology Confucianism and Ecology, and “Morality, Spirituality, and Spontaneity in Korean Neo-Confucianism”, Confucian Spirituality, Volume Two. He has published many articles in Korean studies, Confucian studies, and comparative religion. He is a recipient of the 2004 Yulgok Scholarly Award, the most prestigious academic award in Confucian studies in Korea.

Introduction.- 1. A Historical Overview of Korean Confucianism; Don Baker.- 2. Confucian Philosophy as the Ideological Foundation of the Choson Dynasty: Chong Tojon; Chai-sik Chung.- 3. Intellectual Philosophical Formation of the Choson Dynasty: Kwon Kun, Haryun, Yu Sungjo; Hongkyung Kim.- 4. Philosophical Movement of Sarimp’a or the School of Private Studies: Kil Jae, Cho Kwangjo, Kim Sisup; Oaksook Kim.- 5. The Rise of Qi monism and So Kyongdok; Wonsuk Chang.- 6. Yi T’oegye: Korean Achievement of Neo-Confucian Philosophy; Mike Kalton.- 7. Yi Yulgok: Korean Approach to Neo-Confucian Philosophical Issues; Young-chan Ro.- 8. The Korean Development of the Neo Confucian "Four-Seven Debate"; Ed Chung.- 9. Critical Appraisal of T’oegye and Yulgok: Korean Contribution to the Neo-Confucian Philosophical discourse; Sa-Soon Youn.- 10. The Horak Debate concerning Human Nature of the Nature of all Other Beings: Yi Kan, Han Wonjin; Ae Hee Yi.- 11. Chung Tasan: Re-formation of Korean Neo-Confucianism; Mark Setton.- 12. Sirhak or the Practical Learning School in Korea: Yi Sukwang, Yu Songwon, Yi Ik Pak Chiwon, Pak Chaega; Hyung-jo Han.- 13. The Late Choson Confucianism and Western Learning. and Catholicism: Interaction and Conflict; Jang-tae Keum.- 14. The Yangming School in Korea: Ch’oe Myonggil, Chong Chaedu, Pak Unsik, Chong Inbo; Injae Chung.- 15. Confucian Orthodoxy and Revival of the Li School: Yi Hangno; Chai-sik Chung.- 16. Song Siyol and Revival of the Qi School; Shin-Hwan Kwak.- 17. Confucianism and Social Values in Modern Korea; Seung Hwan Lee.- 18. Women and Confucianism in Korea; Eun Suun Lee.- 19. Confucianism and Shamanism in Korea; Boudewijn C.A.Walraven.- Index.

“The collection of eighteen essays in this book offers a comprehensive and current introduction to various aspects of Korean Confucianism, making it the most extensive resource available in English-speaking academia. … I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the Korean Confucian tradition. Readers will likely find the essays informative and thought-provoking.” (Youngsun Back, Dao, Vol. 22 (2), 2023)