Yi T’oegye on Transcending the Problem of Evil: A Neo-Confucian and Interreligious Perspective 


Vol. 22,  No. 2, pp. 249-265, Dec.  2019
10.18399/acta.2019.22.2.003


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  Abstract

Evil is a key concept in Confucianism and other world religions. The problem of evil is therefore central to our interreligious discussion of human nature and the world. In Western scholarship, however, Confucian moral idealism is occasionally criticized for being too optimistic or unable to articulate the nature of evil; it is philosophically or theologically weak, also due to the absence of an omnipotent, omniscient God (divine law-giver). If we take the Confucian doctrine of innate human goodness for granted, how do we explain the active presence of evil in the human world? This article discusses the heart of T’oegye’s thought by focusing on the problem of evil and the way to transcend it. Yi Hwang 李滉 (T’oegye 退溪, 1501– 1570) was an eminent Korean thinker who greatly influenced Neo-Confucian ethics and spirituality. By using a textual and interpretive approach, I present his major works including the Sŏnghak sipto 聖學十圖 (Ten diagrams on sage learning), Chasŏngnok 自省錄 (Record of self-reflection), and “Four-Seven Debate Letters.” T’oegye eloquently criticized the origin of moral evil and emphasized a self-transcending way to remove evil and do good. What is important about his interpretation and how does it enrich our global understanding of good and evil? I conclude by considering this and related questions from a comparative and interreligious standpoint.

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  Cite this article

[IEEE Style]

E. Y. J. Chung, "Yi T’oegye on Transcending the Problem of Evil: A Neo-Confucian and Interreligious Perspective," Academia Koreana, vol. 22, no. 2, pp. 249-265, 2019. DOI: 10.18399/acta.2019.22.2.003.

[ACM Style]

Edward Y. J. Chung. 2019. Yi T’oegye on Transcending the Problem of Evil: A Neo-Confucian and Interreligious Perspective. Academia Koreana, 22, 2, (2019), 249-265. DOI: 10.18399/acta.2019.22.2.003.

[APA Style]

Chung, E. (2019). Yi T’oegye on Transcending the Problem of Evil: A Neo-Confucian and Interreligious Perspective. Academia Koreana, 22(2), 249-265. DOI: 10.18399/acta.2019.22.2.003.

[MLA Style]

Edward Y. J. Chung. "Yi T’oegye on Transcending the Problem of Evil: A Neo-Confucian and Interreligious Perspective." Academia Koreana, vol. 22, no. 2, 2019, pp. 249-265. doi:10.18399/acta.2019.22.2.003

[HAVARD Style]

Edward Y. J. Chung (2019) 'Yi T’oegye on Transcending the Problem of Evil: A Neo-Confucian and Interreligious Perspective', Academia Koreana, 22(2), pp. 249-265. doi:10.18399/acta.2019.22.2.003

[ACS Style]

Chung, E.. Academia Koreana 22 2019, 249-265. 10.18399/acta.2019.22.2.003

[ABNT Style]

Chung, E.. Yi T’oegye on Transcending the Problem of Evil: A Neo-Confucian and Interreligious Perspective. Academia Koreana, v. 22, n. 2, p. 249-265, 2019. DOI: 10.18399/acta.2019.22.2.003

[Chicago Style]

Edward Y. J. Chung. "Yi T’oegye on Transcending the Problem of Evil: A Neo-Confucian and Interreligious Perspective." Academia Koreana 22, no. 2 (2019): 249-265. doi:10.18399/acta.2019.22.2.003

[TURABIAN Style]

Edward Y. J. Chung. "Yi T’oegye on Transcending the Problem of Evil: A Neo-Confucian and Interreligious Perspective." Academia Koreana 22, no. 2 (2019): 249-265. 10.18399/acta.2019.22.2.003

[VANCOUVER Style]

Edward Y. J. Chung. Yi T’oegye on Transcending the Problem of Evil: A Neo-Confucian and Interreligious Perspective [Academia Koreana]. 2019;22:249-265. DOI:10.18399/acta.2019.22.2.003

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