Learning from Modern Korean Donghak
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At this LUCIP Colloquium, philosopher Dr Jea Sophia Oh explores how Donghak, a Korean religious and philosophical tradition, offers fresh perspectives on ecological crises, social transformation and the relationship between humanity and nature.
What can a nineteenth-century Korean philosophical tradition teach us about the ecological and social challenges of today? At the LUCIP Colloquium Learning from Modern Korean Donghak: From Ecological Crisis to Social Transformation and Planetary Flourishing, Dr Jea Sophia Oh explores how Donghak (Eastern Learning) offers a different way of understanding humanity's relationship with nature and our shared responsibility for the planet.
The lecture examines two central Donghak principles: sicheonju, or bearing Heaven within oneself, and samgyeong, reverence for Heaven, humanity and all living beings. These ideas challenge conventional divisions between humans and nature, the spiritual and the material. By connecting them with salim, a Korean practice of nurturing, sustaining and restoring life, the lecture introduces a perspective on ecological responsibility rooted in interconnectedness, respect and collective flourishing.
Dr Jea Sophia O…
What can a nineteenth-century Korean philosophical tradition teach us about the ecological and social challenges of today? At the LUCIP Colloquium Learning from Modern Korean Donghak: From Ecological Crisis to Social Transformation and Planetary Flourishing, Dr Jea Sophia Oh explores how Donghak (Eastern Learning) offers a different way of understanding humanity's relationship with nature and our shared responsibility for the planet.
The lecture examines two central Donghak principles: sicheonju, or bearing Heaven within oneself, and samgyeong, reverence for Heaven, humanity and all living beings. These ideas challenge conventional divisions between humans and nature, the spiritual and the material. By connecting them with salim, a Korean practice of nurturing, sustaining and restoring life, the lecture introduces a perspective on ecological responsibility rooted in interconnectedness, respect and collective flourishing.
Dr Jea Sophia Oh is Professor of Philosophy at West Chester University of Pennsylvania, specialising in Asian and comparative philosophy, environmental ethics, and feminist and decolonial theory. Organised by the Leiden University Centre of Intercultural Philosophy, this colloquium brings Korean philosophical thought into contemporary discussions about ecology and society, exploring how historical traditions can help us imagine more sustainable and inclusive planetary futures.