바로가기메뉴

본문 바로가기 주메뉴 바로가기

logo

  • P-ISSN0023-3900
  • E-ISSN2733-9343
  • A&HCI, SCOPUS, KCI

ISSN : 0023-3900

Article Contents

Prev Next
e-Submission

Vol.51 No.1

Citation Share

Is the Morality of Human Beings Superior to the Morality of Non-Human Beings? : Debate over Human versus Animal Nature in the Joseon Period

Korea Journal / Korea Journal, (P)0023-3900; (E)2733-9343
2011, v.51 no.1, pp.72-96
https://doi.org/10.25024/kj.2011.51.1.72

(2011). Is the Morality of Human Beings Superior to the Morality of Non-Human Beings? : Debate over Human versus Animal Nature in the Joseon Period. Korea Journal, 51(1), 72-96, https://doi.org/10.25024/kj.2011.51.1.72

Abstract

Confucian scholars of Joseon Korea carried out a philosophical debate on what they referred to as the original nature of humans versus non-human beings including animals. This debate arose from the correspondence between two followers of the Zhu Xi School in Korea, Oeam and Namdang, in 1709. The main question of the debate was whether humans and other beings including animals have equal natures. Following them, many scholars engaged in the debate, dividing into two groups: Nak-ron 洛論 and Ho-ron 湖論. Nak-ron scholars thought that the original nature of humans and other non-human beings was equal. Ho-ron scholars thought that the original nature of humans was different than that of other beings. According to Nak-ron opinion, animals inherently possessed a morality equal to the morality of humans. According to Ho-ron opinion, animals also possessed a morality; however, because the temperaments of animals were considered inferior to those of humans, the morality of animals was also considered inferior to the morality of humans.

keywords
humans, non-human beings, morality, superiority and inferiority, inmulseong dongi ron, Horak debat

Reference

1.

Chae, Ji-hong. n.d. Bongamjip 鳳巖集(The Collected Works of Bongam Chae, Ji-hong)

2.

Confucius. n.d. Zhongyong 中庸(Doctrine of the Mean).

3.

Eo, Yu-bong. n.d. Giwonjip 杞園集(The Collected Works of Giwon Eo Yubong).

4.

Han, Won-jin. 1741. Gyeongui gimunnok 經義記聞錄(Review of Neo-Confucianism).

5.

Han, Won-jin. 1765[?]. Namdangjip 南塘集(The Collected Works of Namdang Han Won-jin).

6.

Hu, Kuang, et al. 1415. Xingli daquan (Great Compendium on Nature and Principle).

7.

Jeong, Jung-gi. n.d. Maesanjip 梅山集(The Collected Works of Maesan Jeong, Jung-gi)

8.

Kim, Chang-heup. n.d. Samyeonjip 三淵集(The Collected Works of Samyeon Kim Chang-heup).

9.

Kim, Won-haeng. n.d. Mihojip 渼湖集(The Collected Works of Miho Kim Wonhaeng).

10.

Yi, Gan. n.d. Oeam yugo 巍巖遺稿(The Posthumous Writings of Oeam Yi Gan).

11.

Yi, Jae. 1816. Doamjip 陶庵集(The Collected Works of Doam Yi Jae).

12.

Yun, Bong-gu. n.d. Byeonggyejip 屛溪集(The Collected Works of Byeonggye Yun Bong-gu).

13.

Bae, Jong-Ho. 1985. Hanguk yuhak-ui cheolhakjeok jeongae (The Philosophical Unfolding of Korean Confucianism). Vol. 2. Seoul: Yonsei University Press.

14.

Bekoff, Marc, and Jessica Pierce. 2009. Wild Justice: The Moral Lives of Animals. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

15.

Boehm, Christopher. 2001. Hierarchy in the Forest: The Evolution of Egalitarian Behavior. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

16.

Cho, Sung-san. 1997. “18 segi horak nonjaeng-gwa noron sasanggye-ui bunhwa” (A Study of the Horak Debates and the Division of Noron in the 18th Century). Hanguk sasang sahak (Study of Korean History of Thoughts) 8: 75-112.

17.

Choi, Hoon. 2010a. “Dongmul-eul dodeokjeok-euro goryeo haeyahal jinhwaronjeok iyu” (Why We Should Take Animals’ Morality from an Evolutionary Point of View). Cheolhak yeongu (Studies of Philosophy) 88: 283-305.

18.

Choi, Hoon. 2010b. “Dongmul-ui gamgak, dongmul-ui uisik” (Animals’ Senses and Consciousness). In Dongmul-ui gamgak, dongmul-ui uisik, geurigo dongmul-ui dodeokjeok jiwi (Animals’ Sense, Animals’ Consciousness, and Animals’ Moral Status). Collection of papers, Chung-Ang University, Chung-Ang Institute of Philosophy.

19.

Choi, Young-Jin, et al. 2009. Hanguk cheolhaksa (The History of Korean Philosophy). Seoul: Saemunsa.

20.

De Waal, Frans. 2000. Chimpanzee Politics: Power and Sex among Apes. Revised edition. The Johns Hopkins University Press.

21.

Goodall, Jane, and Mark Beckoff. 2002. The Ten Trusts: What We Must Do to Care for The Animals We Love. New York: HarperOne.

22.

Hong, Jung Geun. 2007. Horak nonjaeng-ui bonjil-gwa Im Seong-ju-ui cheolhak sasang (The Essence of the Horak Debates and Im Seong Ju’s Philosophical Thought). Daegu: Academia Koreana.

23.

Hong, Jung Geun. 2009. “Joseon sidae horak nonbyeon-eseoui ingan bonseong nonui-e gwanhan gochal” (An Investigation of the Discussions about the Human Nature in the Horak Debate in Joseon Period). Yugyo sasang yeongu (Journal of Confucian Philosophy) 38: 133-163.

24.

Kim, Song Han. 2010. “Gongnijuui-wa dongmul-ui dodeok-jeok jiwi” (Utilitarianism and Moral Status of Animals). In Dongmul-ui gamgak, dongmul-ui uisik, geurigo dongmul-ui dodeokjeok jiwi (Animals’ Sense, Animals’ Consciousness, and Animals’ Moral Status). Collection of papers, Chung-Ang University, Chung-Ang Institute of Philosophy.

25.

Kim, Sung Dong. 2008. “Yulli-neun jinhwaronjeok giwon-eul gatgo-inneunga?—dodeokseong-eun ingan goyu-ui balmyeongpum-i anieotda” (Do Ethics Have Evolutionary Origin?—Morality was not an Invention of the Human). Gyosu sinmun (Professors’ Newspaper). October 20.

26.

Lee, Ae-hi, et al. 1996. Joseon yuhak-ui hakpadeul (Schools of Joseon Confucianism). Seoul: Yemun.

27.

Moon, Suk-yoon. 2006. Horak nonjaeng hyeongseong-gwa jeongae (The Formation and Development of the Horak Debate). Seoul: Dong-gwa Seo.

28.

Yoo, Myung-Jong. 1998. Hanguk yuhak yeongu (A Study of Korean Confucianism). Seoul: Imun Chulpansa.

Korea Journal

e-Submission OA Policy