Korean philosophy's path forward: From spiritual metaphysics to confronting materialism

Over the past century, Korean philosophy has undergone a significant evolution, moving from the spiritual and metaphysical underpinnings of early national religions to complex ontological and ethical frameworks. This historical journey, explored in the final installment of Hankyoreh's series on Korean philosophy, traces the intellectual lineage from figures like Lee Don-hwa and his "Shin-in Philosophy" to contemporary thinkers like Kim Sang-il and his work on ontology.

Early 20th-century Korean philosophy was deeply influenced by national religious movements such as Donghak and Daejonggyo. While these might appear more religious than philosophical today, they represent a crucial source for modern Korean philosophical thought. Lee Don-hwa's "Shin-in Philosophy" is identified as a key starting point in this intellectual development. Alongside the established influences of Buddhism and Christianity, these national religions emerged during a period of national crisis, synthesizing various indigenous thoughts, Confucianism, Taoism, and even Western learning.

A central theme in this philosophical tradition is "spiritual metaphysics," which grants a high status to the human spirit. This spiritual dimension often serves as a bridge between the transcendent, symbolized by "heaven," and the immanent, represented by "earth." Modern Korean spiritual metaphysics has largely built upon Neo-Confucianism, integrating Western philosophies like those of Spinoza, Hegel, and Bergson. This tradition stands in stark contrast to the current era, which the article describes as dominated by "vulgar materialism" – a worldview that commodifies and manipulates everything.

The article posits that a primary task for contemporary Korean philosophy is to carry forward the legacy of spiritual metaphysics in a modern context, especially in opposition to this pervasive materialism. Achieving this requires a dialogue and fusion with modern philosophy of mind. Contemporary psychological sciences, intertwined with life sciences and information sciences, have fostered materialistic trends, while the philosophy of mind has also generated significant anti-materialist thought. Integrating these advancements with spiritual metaphysics is crucial.

Furthermore, the article identifies the theory of the subject, developed through existentialism, structuralism, and post-structuralism, as a vital link. It proposes understanding the human being as a three-layered entity: the material (as an effect of physical processes), the spiritual (as a transcendent being), and the subject (as an active agent in the middle). Constructing a comprehensive ontology that encompasses these three layers is presented as the way forward for Korean philosophy, continuing the tradition of contemplating the "human mind" that began with Buddhism, Neo-Confucianism, and Donghak. This philosophical response is deemed necessary in an age where subjectivities are often overwhelmed by objectification and materialism.