North American Korean Philosophy Association

North American Korean Philosophy Association (NAKPA)
By-laws
Approved July 30, 2024

ARTICLE I
NAME AND OBJECTIVES

SECTION 1 NAME
This Association will be known as the North American Korean Philosophy Association (hereafter abbreviated as NAKPA). By “Korean Philosophy” is meant the whole philosophical tradition and heritage within the span of Korean history and the spectrum of Korean civilization. The term “Korean Philosophy” will also connote the logical, metaphysical, ethical, aesthetical, and epistemological thinking and reflection in reference to the Korean philosophical tradition and heritage, Korean language, Korean society, and Korean civilization.

SECTION 2 OBJECTIVES
This Association (NAKPA) is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization formed for the purpose of uniting persons affiliated with the study and research of Korean Philosophy or interested in promoting the study and research of Korean Philosophy in both academic and non-academic circles. This Association encourages creativity, innovation, and respects people’s difference in belief. It is firmly committed to s*xual and racial equality, prohibits any discriminatory practice in all its activities and officer appointment.

The objectives of NAKPA are set forth as follows:
a. To support, sponsor or co-sponsor conferences, seminars, workshops and the like on Korean Philosophy solely or in cooperation with local, national, or international philosophical congresses or academic institutions.
b. To sponsor or co-sponsor philosophical, educational, cultural or scientific activities in cooperation with educational, cultural, philosophical, or scientific institutions or organizations in connection with the study and research of Korean Philosophy.
c. To support and sponsor the editing and publication of the international research journal that will be known as the Journal of Korean Philosophy (in preparation) for the philosophical and scholarly community interested in Korean Philosophy.
d. To support and sponsor the editing and publication of a periodic newsletter for the NAKPA which will report on the academic activities of the members of this Association and other pertinent matters in the field of Korean Philosophy.
e. To support and sponsor research projects in Korean Philosophy as well as projects on research tools in Korean Philosophy such as bibliographies, chronicles, directories, indices, and the like.
f. To support and sponsor travel to and from national and international conferences, and the like for the purpose of promoting the study and research of Korean Philosophy.
g. To support, sponsor or co-sponsor community-oriented activities which are meaningful and fruitful from the point of view of promoting or enriching Korean Philosophy and which will enhance the cultural values of Korean Philosophy.
h. To promote and support all other scientific, literary, educational and philosophical activities complementary with the foregoing objectives.

ARTICLE II
LOCATION AND OFFICE

SECTION 1
The office of NAKPA is located on the premises of the institution that the president of the Association is associated with. Any official documentation should be sent to this office for permanent filing.

ARTICLE III
MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 1 CLASSES OF MEMBERSHIP
The membership of NAKPA shall be classified as follows: (1) Regular, (2) Life, (3) Institutional, (4) Student, (5) Associate, and (6) Affiliate.
SECTION 2 DEFINITION OF MEMBERSHIP CLASSES
a. Regular Members: Regular membership will be open to any person who wishes to be affiliated with actual study and research of Korean Philosophy or the promotion of such.
b. Life Members: Life membership will be open to any person who wishes to make a financial contribution to the NAKPA in the amount specified by the board.
c. Institutional Members: Institutional membership will be open to any bona fide institution which wishes to make a financial contribution to the NAKPA at a minimum amount as determined by its board.
d. Student Members: Student membership will be open to any student enrolled in an educational institution who has an interest in Korean Philosophy.
e. Associate Members: Associate membership is open to any person who does not wish to be a regular member but still wants to enjoy some of its privileges.
f. Affiliate Members: Affiliate membership is a dues-exempt associate membership granted to advisors, corresponding members and other individuals by the authority of the Board of Directors

All application for membership is subject to the review and approval of the Board of Directors.

SECTION 3 ANNUAL DUES
The annual dues for each of the five classes of paying membership shall be established by the Board of Directors and shall be renewable on January 1 each year. Membership status will be acknowledged after submission of a membership application form and payment of appropriate dues.

SECTION 4 THE RIGHT TO VOTE AND TO HOLD OFFICE
Members who attended either regional or annual NAKPA meetings during the past 5 years shall have right to vote.

ARTICLE IV
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SECTION 1 DESIGNATION AND COMPOSITION
The governing body of the NAKPA shall be the Board of Directors, which shall consist of the following:
• President
• Vice President
• Secretary/ Treasurer
• At Large Board Members (minimum of two)
• Past President

SECTION 2 ELIGIBILITY
Only regular and life members of the NAKPA are eligible to hold office.

SECTION 3 TERM
The Vice-President shall be elected by the membership for a non-consecutively renewable three-year term.
Vice-President shall automatically become president without further election and shall serve for three years.

The Secretary and the Treasurer shall be elected by the membership for a renewable term of three years. The positions of the Secretary and the Treasurer may be held by the same person.

At-large directors shall serve renewable terms of three years and shall be elected by the members.

SECTION 4 NOMINATION OF OFFICERS
a) Nominations of the Vice-President, the Secretary and the Treasurer, at large board members shall be made by the members of an ad hoc Nominations Committee appointed by the Board of Directors. All nominations shall be voted upon in a manner established for all members of the NAKPA.

SECTION 5 DUTIES OF THE PRESIDENT
The President shall preside at annual and special meetings of the NAKPA, e.g., at the American Philosophical Association Meetings, and shall act as representative of the NAKPA at the meetings or conferences of learned or academic societies with which NAKPA is affiliated.

SECTION 6 DUTIES OF THE VICE-PRESIDENT
It shall be the duty of the Vice-President(s) to support the President in various duties and perform president’s duties during their absence.

SECTION 7 DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY AND THE TREASURER
The Secretary of the Association shall keep the minutes of all officially convened meetings. They shall see to it that all notices are duly given in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution. They shall keep a membership roll which shall be current at all times. They shall, in general, perform all duties incidental to the office of the Secretary and such other duties as may from time to time be assigned to that office by the president.

The Treasurer shall be responsible for the custody of all funds belonging to the Association. They shall disburse funds only in accordance with the provisions of this By-laws and the rules established by the Board of Directors, and they shall make a full written annual financial report to the Association.

SECTION 8 DUTIES OF AT-LARGE DIRECTORS
At large directors shall help the Association as members of the Board of Directors in various aspects of the Association.

SECTION 9 DUTIES OF THE CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF OFFICERS
The president of the Association serves as the chair of the board of directors.

ARTICLE V
ADVISORY BOARD
There shall be an Advisory Board consisting of all past presidents, selected past officers of the Association, and other experienced individuals invited by the President on behalf of the Association.
Advisory board shall advise the Association whenever advice is requested by the president of the NAKPA.

ARTICLE VI
ANNUAL MEETING AND MEETINGS AT THE AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL ASSOCIATION

The board under the leadership of the president shall be in charge of organizing an annual conference of the NAKPA.

There shall be three regional coordinators who shall be responsible for organizing a panel (s) at the APA meetings and who shall keep the record of the NAPKA panels at the APA.
Regional coordinators may be appointed by the board.

Approved, July 30, 2024
by the board (Jin Y. Park, Halla Kim, Youngsun Back, B**grae Seok, David Kim)

루이지아나 정통 요리점 NAKPA 연회

그리고 Don Baker 교수님 여자형제들 - -

Call for papers/panels: 2023 NAKPA Annual Conference, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea



Proposal Deadline: August 15, 2023



NAKPA (North American Korean Philosophy Association) is holding the 8th Annual conference at Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea, Nov. 9-10, 2023.

The topic for this year will be “Communication, Dialogue and Reconciliation”. The keynote speaker will be Professor Edward Chung (University of Prince Edward Island, Canada). The selection committee will consider all papers regardless of the academic and research background of the sender. Proposals on the variations of this year’s conference topic, such as comparative Asian Philosophy, Politics and Philosophy, or Comparative Political Philosophy, will also be considered.

Please send an abstract (200 words) together with the title and affiliation formation as well as email address and/or panel proposal to Prof. Halla Kim ([email protected]) before Deadline: August 15, 2023.

During the conference, all meals and snack/drinks as well as accommodations will be covered for the speakers. Overseas speakers will be provided with accommodations with a partial reimbursement of their travel cost as well. Graduate students are also encouraged to apply for the student sessions and will be considered for financial assistance if accepted.


All abstracts are anonymously reviewed and rated by members of the Selection Committee. Authors are notified of their acceptance/rejection or wait list status by the end of August.

www.google.c

Dear all,

I hope this email finds you and your loved ones well.

I am pleased to announce that the annual NAKPA meetings in 2022 will take place in Omaha, NE, US for three days, Nov. 14 (Monday) to Nov. 16 (Wed.), jointly hosted by Creighton University and University of Nebraska at Omaha. The members of the board (President: Prof. Jin Y. Park as well as board members Professors David Kim, Young Sun Back, B**g Rae Seok) and I would very much like you to consider coming to Omaha and meet the friends both old and new (for the first time in three years).

Through an unremitting support from the Asian World Center at Creighton University in Omaha, the invited keynote speaker this year will be Professor Robert Buswell (UCLA) with a lecture on Korean Seon 禪 Master Jinul 知訥. A special lecture will be delivered on a feminist theme in Korean philosophy (speaker TBA) as well.

The main theme of the annual conference this year will be “Korean Philosophy and the World.” As you are all aware, since the last meeting of the NAKPA in 2019 in Cork, Ireland, the world we knew has drastically changed. The pandemic redefined the value and meaning of our existence from the daily routines of eating, drinking, touching to the sense of space and to the existential reality of precariousness of human lives. While the digital world is usurping the physical one, the economic gap between the have and the have-nots is getting wider. What would Korean philosophy say about the experiences we went through since the pandemic? What can philosophers say about them? The 2022 NAKPA invites papers dealing with any aspects of our experiences related to the change of the world and the changing world, and how Korean philosophy might help us articulate, interpret and express our experiences and look for the future to come. Papers that are not related to this year’s topic are also welcome. If you have ideas about a talk or panel, please do let us know of them. Abstract of about 250-300 words should include the title, author’s name, affiliation, and email contact information. Panel submissions (including “Author-Meets-Critics” sessions) should include the topic, panelists and their affiliations, a summary of the proposed panel within 300-500 words, and an abstract for each of the papers (250–300 words for each paper). Please submit individual abstracts and panel proposals to: [email protected]

Deadline: September 1, 2022 (and on a first come first serve basis after September 1 if still open) Notification of acceptance together with the conference details will be sent out in early September.

Of course, if you have any questions please let me know--

Many thanks

NAKPA plans to hold two panels at the Central as well as the Pacific APA early next year in 2022.

1. NAKPA at The Central APA
February 23-26, 2022
The Palmer House Hilton
17 East Monroe Street
Chicago, Illinois, 60603
United States

NAKPA plans to hold two panels in San Diego early next year. We have ideas for (1) a panel on the themes in Korean Buddhism; (2) another panel on an open theme. Abstract of about 250-300 should include the title, author’s name, affiliation, and email contact information. Panel submissions (including “Author-Meets-Critics” sessions) should include the topic, panelists and their affiliations, a summary of the proposed panel in 300-500 words, and an abstract for each of the papers (250–300 words for each paper).
Please submit individual abstracts and panel proposals to: [email protected]
Deadline: September 1, 2021 (and on a first come first serve basis after September 1 if still open)

2. NAKPA at The Pacific APA
April 13-16, 2022
The Westin Bayshore, Vancouver
1601 Bayshore Drive
Vancouver, British Columbia V6G 2V4
Canada

NAKPA plans to hold two panels in San Diego next year. The topic/themes are open. Please feel free to proposal your own topic or panel. Please send an abstract of about 250-300 words for your paper. Panel submissions (including “Author-Meets-Critics” sessions) should include the topic, panelists and their affiliations, a summary of the proposed panel in 300-500 words, and an abstract for each of the papers (250–300 words for each paper)
Please submit individual abstracts and panel proposals to: [email protected]
Deadline: September 1, 2021 (and on a first come first serve basis after September 1 if still open)

Position Announcement: Professorial Lecturer
Department of Philosophy and Religion
College of Arts and Sciences
American University
The Department of Philosophy and Religion in the College of Arts and Sciences at American University invites
applications for a full-time, academic year appointment in Asian and comparative ethics and moral philosophy at
the rank of Professorial Lecturer beginning August 30, 2021. Teaching duties include introductory courses in moral
philosophy as well as a graduate seminar on global ethics. We particularly welcome candidates with expertise in
Asian and comparative philosophy. In addition to scholarship and teaching, responsibilities will include participation
in department, school, and university activities.
Applicants should hold a Ph.D.; however, ABD will be considered. Salary and benefits are competitive for a fulltime term appointment. The teaching load for the year is three courses per semester (fall and spring). Funding for
research and/or travel to participate in academic conferences is available. Review of applications will begin
immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Please submit applications via Interfolio at
https://apply.interfolio.com/88021. Include a letter of application, curriculum vitae, and the names and contact
information of three references. Please contact Lauren Hughes, Senior Administrative Assistant at
[email protected] if you have any questions.
The Department of Philosophy and Religion offers undergraduate degree programs in Philosophy and Religious
Studies and graduate degree programs in Philosophy, including the M.A. Philosophy (including Philosophy and
Social Policy) and a joint MA in Ethics, Peace and Human Rights. Learn more about the College of Arts and
Sciences at http://www.american.edu/cas/ and about the department at http://www.american.edu/cas/philrel/.
American University is a private institution within easy reach of the many centers of government, business, research,
and the arts located within the nation’s capital. For more information about American University, visit
www.american.edu. American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in
compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color,
national origin, religion, s*x (including pregnancy), age, s*xual orientation, disability, marital status, personal
appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran
status, an individual’s genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively “Protected
Bases”) in its programs and activities.
American University is a to***co and smoke free campus. Hiring offers for this position are contingent on the
successful completion of a background check.

Program Finder | American University, Washington, DC Program Finder - Funnelback - New Template

Call for Papers and Abstracts: NAKPA at 2021 Eastern APA (New York, Jan 4-7), at 2021 Central APA February 24–27, New Orleans, LA) and Pacific APA (March 31–April 4, Portland, OR)

North American Korean Philosophical Association (NAKPA) is organizing group sessions at the 2021 Eastern Division Meeting of the American Philosophical Association (APA). 2021, Jan 4 – 7, New York) as well as Central and Pacific meetings.

We welcome scholars to submit proposals to be considered for inclusion on two NAKPA group sessions at the 2021 APA Eastern Division Meeting.

Please submit your proposal (your full name, affiliation, paper title, brief abstract) on any aspect or topic of Korean Philosophy to the NAKPA organizer for Eastern APA meetings: [email protected]

Submission deadline: July 31

Thank you for your support of NAKPA and Korean Philosophy.

Please see the details of the Eastern APA 2021 and session information below:

Eastern APA 2021: January 4 – 7 (Mon to Thr) (2021) Sheraton New York Times Square, New York.
FYI: Currently, all three APA divisions are planning to hold in-person meetings in 2021. At the same time, APA is also considering alternative formats, such as virtual meetings, as contingencies in the case that our usual meeting format becomes impossible.

North American Korean Philosophical Association (NAKPA) group session at the 2021 Eastern Division Meeting of the American Philosophical Association (APA).
We are open to submissions that engage with
- Korean philosophy (traditional or contemporary)
- Korean philosophy in its interaction with Asian and/or Western Philosophy
- Any Forms of Comparative Korean Philosophy
- Any philosophical topics that discuss and analyze themes and arguments from Korean philosophy or Korean philosophers
- Any topics that can reflect unique viewpoints or perspectives of Korean Philosophy
- Any discussion on the future development of Korean Philosophy
We consider both individual and group proposals.

Guidelines for paper/abstract submission:
Please submit your paper title and a brief (around 200 word) abstract with or without a full paper.
If an abstract is submitted, your full paper should be submitted to the organizer or the session chair at least 2 weeks before the meeting to provide enough time comments. Completed papers should not exceed 4000 words.
The presentation time for each paper will be 25 to 30 minutes (depending on the session schedule)

Hello all—
There is an academic position opening which some of you may be interested in for an East Asianist who can teach both Asian philosophy and religion at American University. Information is in the following link to the Chronicle:

Professorial Lecturer job with American University | 228578 The Department of Philosophy and Religion in the College of Arts and Sciences at American University invites applications for a full-time,...

Call for papers/panels: 2020 NAKPA Annual Conference, Sogang University, Seoul, Korea

Proposal Deadline: March 1, 2020

NAKPA (North American Korean Philosophy Association) is holding the 7th Annual conference at Sogang University, Seoul, Korea, June 22-24.
The topic for this year will be “The Different Voices in Korean Philosophy” but we will also consider other topics if they are worthy. The keynote speakers will be Prof. Kim, Heisook (Ehwa Womans University Korea) and Prof. Roger Ames (University of Hawaii). We will consider all papers regardless of the background of the sender.
Please send an abstract (200 words together with the title and affiliation formation as well as email address) and/or panel proposal to Prof. Halla Kim ([email protected]) before Deadline: March 1, 2020.
During the conference, all meals and snack/drinks will be covered for the speakers. Overseas speakers will be provided with accommodations as well. Graduate students are encouraged to apply for the student sessions.

On the third day of the conference, the conference will travel to Ganghwa island and hold the second keynote lecture there on Haksajae, a gorgeous private Korean traditional villa and garden on a charter bus and will do the tour of the place as well as other parts of the island.

All abstracts are anonymously reviewed and rated by members of the Program Committee. Authors are notified of their acceptance/rejection or wait list status by the end of March.

6th Annual NAKPA conference was successfully held at University College Cork Ireland Oct 10 and Oct 11 2019 under the sponsorship of Prof Kevin Cawley.
The theme was “Emotion, Power, and Gender: Their Interaction and integration in Korean philosophy”. The plenary speaker was Jin Y. Park (NAKPA President, American University) and the keynote speaker was Kiri Paramore (UCC).

The next and 7th annual NAKPA conference will be held at Sogang University Seoul Korea on June 22, 23 and 24, 2020. The keynote speakers will be Heisook Kim (Chancellor, Ehwa Woman’s University) and Roger Ames (Hawaii). CFP will go out soon.

The NAKPA COURIER
A Quarterly E-Newsletter of the North American Korean Philosophy Association
No. 13, April, 2017

Greetings from the Desktop Editor

Dear Friends and Colleagues,
Greetings—
I hope this newsletter finds each of you thriving.
In this issue of the NAKPA Courier, you are able to find the full program of 2017 Pacific APA meetings in Seattle, WA. For details, see the relevant sections below.
First, please join me in congratulating Richard Kim (Loyola University of Chicago) and Boram Jeong (University of Colorado, Denver) for their latest appointments as assistant professors! This is good news for the future of NAKPA, indeed.
There was a typo in our earlier call for papers at NAKPA’s Fourth annual conference at SKK (Sungkyunkwan) University in Seoul, Korea, Oct. 25-27, 2017 on the theme "Why Korean Philosophy Today?: Its Relevance to the Twenty-first century.” The submission deadline is June 1, 2017, not 2016. We are pleased to accept proposals for presentations and panels related to the conference theme. I owe this correct to Hwa Yeong Wang (Binghamton). For details, see below.
Dasan Foundation has commissioned NAKPA to arrange their biennial conference in North America 2018. The board members and I hope to hold a productive and fascinating conference on Dasan’s philosophy. We will inform you of the details later when they are available.
Finally, Prof. A. Charles Muller (University of Tokyo) and I have been discussing to hold an international conference on the all too important yet often neglected conceptual pair “che (essence) and yong (function)” in the near future (hopefully 2018) in Tokyo, Japan. If you have a constructive suggestion or proposal, please let us know.
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, Jin, and David.--

Best,

Halla

Halla Kim
Department of Philosophy
Sogang University, Seoul, Korea
University of Nebraska at Omaha
Omaha, NE 68182
[email protected]
(402) 554-3934
(402) 201-9914

Call for Papers

NAKPA holds its Fourth annual conference at SKK (Sungkyunkwan) University in Seoul, Korea, Oct. 25-27, 2017 on the theme "Why Korean Philosophy Today?: Its Relevance to the Twenty-first century.” We are pleased to accept proposals for presentations and panels related to the conference theme. For example, the concept of Do (Dao) and its application in traditional Korea, the concept of human nature in (a phases of) Korean neo-Confucian movement or the "meditation" in the Korean Seon (Zen) tradition or the body and mind in a comparative framework. Papers on other topics will also be considered, esp. philosophical works related to Korean and comparative philosophy, for example, work that brings non-Korean philosophy into a comparative engagement with Korean philosophy. In general, while the conference is most interested in Korean philosophy’s contemporary relevance to Asian and world philosophy, we are also interested in its repercussion in the current issues (e.g. migration crisis, democracy with indigenous cultural characteristics, gender rights, etc.). 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.
While we are not able to provide the airfare, accommodations and meals will be covered by SKK University. There will be an organized group tour on Sat Oct. 28 as well. To encourage student participation, the NAKPA has set up Graduate Student Essay Contest Award for the conference. The winner of the graduate student/post-doc award will be given $500.00 to defray the expenses for travel. Graduate students who wish their papers to be considered for the prize should submit a complete essay of no more than 10 pages (or 4,000 words) and a 300-word abstract. Presentation and panel proposal abstracts should be sent electronically to Halla Kim ([email protected]), Vice President of the Association. Submission deadline: June 1, 2017. The language of the conference is English.

Conference Organizing Committee:
Jin Y. Park, President
Halla Kim, Vice President
David Haekwon Kim, Secretary/Treasurer
Youngsun Back, Committee Member
Jung-Yeup Kim, Committee Member
B**grae Seok, Committee Member

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 [email protected]

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

Confluence: Online Journal of World Philosophies is a bi-annual, peer-reviewed, international journal dedicated to comparative thought. It seeks to explore common spaces and differences between philosophical traditions in a global context. Without postulating cultures as monolithic, homogenous, or segregated wholes, it aspires to address key philosophical issues which bear on specific methodological, epistemological, hermeneutic, ethical, social, and political questions in comparative thought.
http://www.verlag-alber.de/e-journals/confluence/

Confluence aims to develop the contours of a philosophical understanding not subservient to dominant paradigms and provide a platform for diverse philosophical voices, including those long silenced by dominant academic discourses and institutions. Confluence also endeavors to serve as a juncture where specific philosophical issues of global interest may be explored in an imaginative, thought-provoking, and pioneering way. We welcome innovative and persuasive ways of conceptualizing, articulating, and representing intercultural encounters. Contributions should be able to facilitate the development of new perspectives on current global thought-processes and sketch the outlines of salient future developments.
*****

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/

Upcoming Conferences on Korean Philosophy

• NAKPA Korean Philosophy Sessions (Pacific APA, 2017 Seattle, WA, April 12-15)

NAKPA Session 1: "Buddhism, Confucianism and Eastern Learning"
G2E April 12 WEDNESDAY EVENING 6:00-8:00pm

Moderator: Halla Kim, Sogang University (Korea) and University of Nebraska at Omaha
[email protected]

1. “Neo-Confucian Criticism of Buddhism: A philosophical and linguistic analysis of Jeong Do Jeon’s criticism of Buddhism”

Name: B**grae SEOK
Email: B**[email protected]
Affiliation: Alvernia University

2. “A Comparative Philosophy of God in Whitehead and Donghak”

Name: Jea Sophia OH
Email: [email protected]
Affiliation: West Chester University of Pennsylvania


3. Title: “The Ten Oxherding Pictures in Korean Zen Buddhism”
Name: Gereon KOPF
Email: [email protected]
Affiliation: Luther College



NAKPA Session 2: "The Development of Post-Neo-Confucianism in Korea"

Moderator: Halla Kim, Sogang University (Korea) and University of Nebraska at Omaha
[email protected]
G6E April 13, THURSDAY EVENING 6:00-8:00pm

1. Title: “Sŏngho Yi Ik's Physical and Epistemological Changes in the Theory of Chigak (知覺, Cognitive Activity)”
Name: Seon-hee KIM
Email: [email protected]
Affiliation: Ehwa Womans University

2. Title: "A Critical Analysis of the Concept of ‘Sympathetic Consideration’ (seo 恕) in Jeong Yagyong’s Philosophy"
Name: Kyung Rok KWON
Email: [email protected]
Affiliation: City University of Hong Kong

3. “Wisdom as a Meta-Virtue?: A Reexamination Of "Sibijisim (是非之心)"
Name: Subin LEE
Email: [email protected]
Affiliation: City University of Hong Kong

• Book Symposium: Owen Flanagan, The Geography of Morals: Varieties of Moral Possibility
1E April 12 WEDNESDAY MORNING, 9:00 - Noon
Chair: Philip J. Ivanhoe (City University of Hong Kong)
Speakers: Meena Krishnamurthy (University of Michigan)
Li-Hsiang Lisa Rosenlee (University of Hawaii–West Oahu)
Galen Strawson (University of Texas at Austin)
Justin Tiwald (San Francisco State University)
Owen Flanagan (Duke University)

• Session on “Kant and East Asia”

North American Kant Society Session, THURSDAY EVENING, April 13, 8-10pm (G7B)

Topic: Kant and East Asia
Chair: Halla Kim (Sogang University and University of Nebraska at Omaha)
Speakers:
1. Stephen Palmquist (Hong Kong Baptist University)
“Kant and the Compound Yijing”
2. Eric Nelson (Hong Kong University of Science and Technology)
“Leibniz, Kant, and the Political Theology of the Chinese”
3. Martin Schonfeld (University of South Florida)
“What Did Kant Learn from Asia, and Why Did He Not Own Up to It?”

Recent Venues on Korean Philosophy

• 2016 NAKPA Annual Conference on Korean Philosophy (University of San Francisco, NOV 28-30)
Host: University of San Francisco/Prof. David Kim (USF)
Under the auspices of Mortimer Fleischhacker Fund (USF)

Conference Schedule
All sessions/talks will take place at MC (McLaren) 250 on Univ of San Francisco campus

Nov. 28, 2016 (Monday)
Session 1: Themes in Korean Philosophy 2:00pm-3:45pm
Janghee Lee (Gyeongin National University of Education), “A Pitfall in Confucian Virtue Ethics: Authentic Person vs. Petty Person”
Jieun Kim (Korea University), “Western virtue ethics as a Neo-Confucian Way-Focusing on Yulgok’s ‘making a judgment sincere’ (誠意)”
Boram Jeong (Duquesne University/Université de Paris VIII), “The Temporality of ‘No Longer’: A Reflection on Financial Melancholia”

Session 2: Dasan’s Moral Psychology 4:00-6:30pm

Seonhee Kim (Ewha Womans University), “Dasan’s Concept of Jajujigwon (自主之權): Will, Moral Decision and Responsibility”
Subin Lee (City University of Hong Kong), “An Interpretation on Mengzian Moral Judgment: From a Point of View of Dasan's Preference Theory of Human Nature”
Keynote Lecture: PJ Ivanhoe (City University of Hong Kong), “Dasan Jeong Yakyong’s (丁若鏞 ) (1762– 1836) interpretation of the classical Confucian notion of “sympathetic consideration (seo 恕)”
Reception and Dinner: MC 251 (RSVP required) 6:45-9:30pm

Nov. 29, 2016 (Tuesday)
*Special Grant Seminar hosted by Academy of Korean Studies* 9:00-9:30am
AKS offers grants to researchers and institutions for Korea-related theme projects.

Session 3: Themes from Korean Buddhism I: Wonhyo 9:45-11:15am
Chungwhan Sung (Dongguk University), “Wonhyo’s One-Mind: A Soteriological Perspective”
Jinkyu Jeong (Hankook Univ of Foreign Studies), “The Trolley Problem for Wonhyo”
Won-Myoung Kim (Hankook Univ of Foreign Studies), “Wonhyo On Hwajaeng and One Mind,”

Session 4: Foundation Seminar: The Geography of Morals: Varieties of Moral Possibility
11:30-12:45pm
Owen Flanagan (Duke University), Foundation Author; Justin Tiwald (San Francisco State Univ), respondent

Lunch 12:45-2:00pm

Session 5: Themes from Korean Buddhism II 2:00-3:45pm
Lucy Hyekyung Jee (Yonsei University), “A Comparison of Synthetic Framework between Zhiyi (538-597 CE) and Wonhyo (617-686 CE)”
Eun Young Hwang (University of Chicago Divinity School), “The Che-Yong Structure of Jeong Do Jeon’s Method of Comparison and the Critique of Buddhism.”
Pascal Kim (Academy of Korean Studies), “A Yogācāra Psychology of Consciousness in Korean Emotive Context: A Study on the collective self-assessing psyche (han, 恨) and its interpretations”

Session 6: Some Main Themes in Korean Philosophy and Glimpse Beyond 4:15—6:45pm
Jungyeup Kim (Kent State Univ), “Another Form of Coexistence in the Philosophy of Ki of Hong Taeyong”
NAKPA Presidential Inauguration Address: Jin Y. Park (American University), “Women and Buddhist Philosophy”
Tradition Lecture: Mark Csikszentmihalyi (UC Berkeley), "Confucian Religion, Philosophy, and the Categories of Comparative Studies."

Session 7: Beyond Dasan 9:00-11:15am
Dobin Choi (Townson State Univ), “Conceiving Human Nature through Taste: The Practical Significance of Dasan’s Theory of Human Nature as Taste”
Halla Kim (Sogang Univ/UNO), “The Place of Free Will (Gwonhyeong) in Dasan’s ‘Faculty Psychology’”
John Min (College of Southern Nevada), “A Pragmatic Conception of Deliberative Cultures: between Dewey and Confucius”
Hotel information
There are three of the closest (each is roughly 15 mins walk to USF, plus another 5 or so to the conference room):
1) Stanyan Park Hotel (http://www.stanyanpark.com/)
2) Monte Cristo Bed and Breakfast Hotel (http://www.bedandbreakfastsf.com/) [Some rooms have their own bathrooms, but other ones have a shared one in the hallway]
3) Laurel Inn - Joie de Vivre Boutique Hotel (http://www.jdvhotels.com/hotels/california/san-francisco- hotels/laurel-inn/)
1 and 2 are roughly $225/night (this may change), and 3 is more expensive, around $275/night. Our general recommendation is that people try to go to Stanyan Park Hotel so that they can all walk together to and from campus. It’s the closest one to the campus.

• NAKPA Korean Philosophy Sessions (Eastern APA, 2017 Baltimore Jan 4 -7)

Session 1: G3C (Jan. 4, Wed, 3:00-6:00pm)

Panel Title: Philosophical and Religious Traditions of Korea

Chair: Suk Choi (Towson University, [email protected])

Edward Chung (University of Prince Edward Island, [email protected])
Title: Yi T’oegye on True Learning and Self-Cultivation: The Heart of His Neo-Confucianism in the Chasŏngnok

Richard Kim (Saint Louis University, [email protected])
Title: The Normativity of Emotion: The Four-Seven Debate

Song-Chong Lee (The University of Finlay, [email protected])
Title: Ham Seok-Heon’s Personal Identity Theory and Cosmopolitanism

Yunwoo Song (University of Pennsylvania, [email protected])
Title: Popular Divination among the Common People in the 19th Century Joseon

Amjol Shrestha (School of Arts Institute of Chicago, [email protected])
Title: The Logic of Ŭisang’s Diagram of the Reality Realm (Hwaŏm ilsŭng pǒpkye to): An Application of Pratītyasamutpāda to Ŭisang’s Understanding of the One and the Many

Session 2: G6K (Jan. 5, Thu, 2:00-5:00pm)

Panel Title: Kwang-Sae Lee’s Philosophy-A Memorial Session in Honor of the Late Prof. Kwang-Sae Lee

Chair: Jung-Yeup Kim (Kent State University, [email protected])

Laura W**d (The College of Saint Rose, [email protected])
Paper Title: Kwang-Sae Lee: Philosopher of Field Being

David Odell-Scott (Kent State University, [email protected])
Paper Title: Kwang-Sae Lee: A Philosopher's Life.

Jung-Yeup Kim (Kent State University, [email protected])
Paper Title: Fusion of Horizons: Reflections on Kwang-Sae Lee's Comparative Philosophy."

Hwa Yol Jung (Moravian College, [email protected])
Paper Title: TBA

Abstracts:

Session 1

Edward Chung
Affiliation: University of Prince Edward Island
Paper Title: Yi T’oegye on True Learning and Self-Cultivation: The Heart of His Neo-Confucianism in the Chasŏngnok
Abstract: Yi Hwang (T’oegye, 1501–1570) is an eminent Korean Neo-Confucian thinker. His Chasŏngnok (Record of self-reflection) is a superb text on Confucian ethics and spirituality, which consists of twenty-two scholarly letters and four essays. It guided T’oegye and inspired others on the Confucian way of learning and self-cultivation. Its philosophical merit also rivals his two other monumental works: the Sŏnghak sipto (Ten diagrams on sage learning) and “Four-Seven Debate Letters.” However, as a written testament of T’oegye’s character, teaching, and spiritual practice, the Chasŏngnok is of greater interest. This paper presents the essence of T’oegye’s thought by focusing on his experience and interpretation of true Confucian learning and self-cultivation according to the Chasŏngnok. It is based on my latest book, A Korean Confucian Way of Life and Thought: The Chasŏngnok by Yi Hwang (T’oegye) (University of Hawaii Press, Nov. 2015). I hope to shed new light on the depth and vitality of Confucian wisdom.

Richard Kim
Affiliation: Saint Louis University
Paper Title: The Normativity of Emotion: The Four-Seven Debate
Abstract: This paper explores the normative role that emotion have in our moral lives by examining the Four-Seven Debate, arguably the most significant philosophical debate in the history of Korean philosophy. My central aim is to draw out the philosophical insights of the Four-Seven Debate that are relevant to contemporary philosophical discussions of emotion.

Song-Chong Lee
Affiliation: The University of Finlay
Paper Title: Ham Seok-Heon’s Personal Identity Theory and Cosmopolitanism
Abstract: This paper revisits the metaphysics and the personal identity theory of Ham Seok-Heon, who is arguably one of the most influential and controversial modern Korean philosophers, to find and evaluate a unique philosophical framework of cosmopolitanism. The author argues that while traditional Western theorists such as Diogenes of Sinope and Immanuel Kant base the notion of cosmopolitanism on the utilitarian and contractual expansion of the individual’s feeling of hospitality and moral imperative for the community of the human race, Ham’s philosophy focuses on the individual’s intellectual and spiritual awakening of the essential, natural, and cosmic self, namely sisal (seed), which would raise the moral impulse into the ontological level and ultimately overcome the limitations caused by people’s institutional identities and boundaries. The author identifies key philosophical and religious concepts, first, that would frame Ham’s notion of cosmopolitanism, and then discusses its relevance to, and efficacy for, the context of the 21st century.

Yunwoo Song
Affiliation: University of Pennsylvania
Paper Title: Popular Divination among the Common People in the 19th Century Joseon
Abstract: This paper focuses on a piece print from the 19th century Joseon. While it identifies itself as a primer for teaching basics of Korean characters, the vast majority of its contents besides the table is divination manuals. The manuals included in this print seems to have been very popular at the time, and although they have their origins in the Chinese culture, the divination methods described are uniquely Korean. In general, they reflect two kinds of views about life: that one’s fortunes are related to one’s time of birth and that there are preordained cycles of good times and bad times in the course of one’s life. Considering the popularity of these prints, and the fact that they were printed for the common illiterate people, these views could be seen as a reflection of the most commonplace beliefs about life in the late Joseon society.

Amjol Shrestha
Affiliation: School of Arts Institute of Chicago
Paper Title: The Logic of Ŭisang’s Diagram of the Reality Realm (Hwaŏm ilsŭng pǒpkye to):
An Application of Pratītyasamutpāda to Ŭisang’s Understanding of the One and the Many
Abstract: A critical analysis of Uisang's logic of the One and the Many. The paper follows Uisang's understanding with Nagarjuna’s Mulamadyamika-Karika by focusing on how to tie the Pratityasamutpada (co-depedent arising) to Uisang’s Diagram of Reality Realm.

Session 2:

Laura W**d
Affiliation: The College of Saint Rose
Paper Title: Kwang-Sae Lee: Philosopher of Field Being
Abstract: This presentation will discuss Kwang-Sae Lee’s contributions to Field Being Philosophy, especially in the areas of Whitehead Studies, Heidegger Studies and Nietzsche Studies.

David Odell-Scott
Affiliation: Kent State University
Paper Title: Kwang-Sae Lee: A Philosopher's Life.
Abstract: This presentation will discuss Kwang-Sae Lee's life, his career at Kent State University, and his contribution to the diversification and pluralism in philosophy.

Jung-Yeup Kim
Affiliation: Kent State University
Paper Title: Fusion of Horizons: Reflections on Kwang-Sae Lee's Comparative Philosophy."
Abstract: This presentation will reflect on the significance of Kwang-Sae Lee's works in comparative philosophy.

Hwa Yol Jung
Affiliation: Moravian College
Paper Title: TBA
Abstract: TBA

• American Academy of Religion, Annual Meetings, San Antonio, TX, NOV. 19-22

How Did Korean Religions Treat Each Other Politically? A Roundtable Proposal for Korean Religions in Relation
Sunday, Nov. 20, 3:00 PM-4:30 PM
Moderator: Anselm Min
Speakers: Edward Schultz, Franklin Rausch, Halla Kim, Timothy Lee

(Note: The above event is taking place during the slot for our business meeting, which we will re-schedule in consultation with KRG members closer to the AAR meeting.)

KRG Standalone Session:

The Uses and Abuses of Religion in Contemporary Korea
Monday, Nov. 21, 9:00 AM-11:00 AM
Moderator: Rick McBride
Speakers: Wonchul Shin, Lucy Hyekyung Lee, Yi Sil Yoon, Haewon Yang, Soyi Chung



Another event, for which we will not know the time and date until July, is a reception being organized by KRG-member Prof. Seong-nae Kim, and hosted jointly by KRG and the Journal of Korean Religions. This event will be an excellent opportunity to learn more about KRG and JKR, and network with other AAR members. When planning your time at AAR, please keep this event in mind. We will notify you once we know the scheduling for this event.

• 2016 APA Pacific Division, San Francisco

Session 1. “The Korean Way of Doing Philosophy Today” (March 31, THURSDAY
EVENING, 6:00 - 9:00 PM)
Chair: Halla KIM (Univ of Nebraska at Omaha)
[email protected]
Venue: G6E

Speaker 1: Sukjae LEE (Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea)
Email: [email protected]
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: [email protected]
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: [email protected]
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 SATURDAY
EVENING, 6:00 - 9:00 P.M.)
Chair: Halla KIM (Univ of Nebraska at Omaha)
[email protected]
Venue: G10F

1. Wonsuk CHANG (Academy of Korean Studies, Seoul, Korea)
Title: “The Fate of Naturalism in Early Modern East Asian Confucianisms“
Email: [email protected]

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 (天) 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: [email protected]
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: [email protected]
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.), which is organized by David Kim:

Invited Symposium: Comparing Chinese and Korean Philosophies
Chair: Halla Kim (University of Nebraska at Omaha)
Speakers:
1. Jung-Yeup Kim (Kent State University)
“A Comparative Investigation of Chinese and Korean Neo-Confucian Philosophies of Qi/Ki (Vital Energy)”

Abstract:
In this paper, I focus on detecting the similarities and differences between the positions of Zhang Zai—a Chinese neo-Confucian philosopher of qi, and Sŏ Kyŏngdŏk—a Korean neo-Confucian philosopher of ki. Furthermore, I investigate if there are any unique Korean features to Sŏ Kyŏngdŏk’s position. This will involve inquiring into what these unique Korean features may be.

2. Charles Muller (University of Tokyo)
“The Essence-Function (Che-Yong) Paradigm in Korea and China, Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism: An Examination of Its Applications”

Abstract:
Despite the fact the "essence-function" (Ch. ti-yong; K. che-yong) paradigm is perhaps the most ubiquitous hermeneutic framework in the entire East Asian philosophical/religious world, it has received remarkably little attention from scholars. Since the 2nd century (and perhaps earlier) it has served as the framework for discourse, both within, and among the "three teachings," and in this regard, I will venture to say that its prominence became greater in Korea. I will show some of the ways in which essence-function has framed general East Asian philosophical discourse, and argue that it deserves greater attention by scholars.)

3) Heisook Kim (Ewha Womans University)
“Toward Critical Confucianism: Women as a Method”

Abstract:
The challenge contemporary Confucian philosophers have to meet is concerned with the existence of autonomous individuals and the equality of women and men in the Confucian context. As Confucianism is strongly focused on family or family-like networks and a unified order within a given community, the pursuit of individuality in the Confucian tradition is often considered a kind of egoism. Critical Confucianism I advocate is an attempt to make Confucianism more viable in the contemporary world by grafting the concepts of individual and gender equality on its theoretical framework. Women’s perspective is significant in this regard to critically expose the nature of Confucian worldviews and modify them in accordance with the democratic ideals of equality and human freedom. I examine the mode in which the individuality of a person emerges in a Confucian culture and explore the way to establish women subjectivity.)

• 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, 2015 Friday

9:00-9:30 Registration

9:30-9:45 Welcome speech

9:45-10:30
Jin Y. Park (American University)
“Philosophizing and Power: East-West Encounter in the Formation of Modern Korean Buddhist Philosophy”

10:40-11:30
Halla Kim (University of Nebraska at Omaha)
“The Nature of Mind in Jinul and Dasan”

12:00-2:00pm
Lunch

2:00-2:50pm
Seon-hee 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 “

3:00-3:50pm
Youngsun Back (City Univ of Hong Kong)
“Sages and the Rest of Us: The Views of Zhu Xi and Jeong Yagyong “

4:00-4:50pm
In Bang (Kyungpuk National University, South Korea)
“Divination and Revelation in Dasan Jeong Yagyong’s View on the Changes”

5:00-5:50pm
Graham Priest (CUNY)
Keynote Lecture, “The Net of Indra”

6:30pm-:830pm
Dinner and reception at city center

Dec. 6, Sat

10:00-10:50am
David Kim (Univ of San Francisco)
“On Two Modes of Revitalizing Morality: Dasan’s Divine Witness and Donghak’s Sacral Projection”

11:00-11:50am Hwa Yol Jung (Moravian College): President's Farewell Lecture
“Phenomenology, Transversality, and World Philosophy”

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

• 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: B**grae 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 (禮) 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 (禪) 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) are 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.

Recent Appointments

Boram Jeon, Assistant Professor of Philosophy (tenure-track), University of Colorado, Denver
Richard Kim, Assistant Professor of Philosophy (tenure-track), Loyola University of Chicago

Recent Publications

Angle, Stephen C. & Tiwald, Justin. Neo-Confucianism: A Philosophical Introduction (Malden, MA: Polity, 2017)

Ivanhoe, P. J. Three Streams: Confucian Reflections on Learning and the Moral Heart-Mind in China, Korea, and Japan (New York: Oxford University Press, 2016)

Jeong Yak-yong (Dasan), The Analects of Dasan, Volume 1: A Korean Syncretic Reading, Hongkyung Kim (tr. and comm.), New York: Oxford University Press, 2016

Kim, Richard, Review of Jeong Yak-yong (Dasan), The Analects of Dasan, Volume 1: A Korean Syncretic Reading, Hongkyung Kim (tr. and comm.) (New York: Oxford University Press, 2016), Notre Dame Philosophical Review, 1. 16. 2017

Park, Jin Y. Women and Buddhist Philosophy: Engaging Zen Master Kim Iryŏp (Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 2017)