scholarly journals The Four–Seven Debate of Korean Neo-Confucianism and the Moral Psychological and Theistic Turn in Korean Philosophy

Religions ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 374 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bongrae Seok

This paper discusses how Korean Neo-Confucian philosophers in the Joseon dynasty (1392–1910) explained the moral nature of the mind and its emotions. Among the philosophical debates of Korean Neo-Confucianism, the author of the paper focuses on the Four–Seven Debate (a philosophical debate about the moral psychological nature of the four moral emotions and the seven morally indiscrete emotions) to analyze its li–qi metaphysics (a philosophical explanation of the universe through the intricate and interactive relation between the two cosmic processes, li and qi) and its conflicting viewpoints on the moral psychological nature of emotion. Because of the ambiguities and inconsistencies in the Neo-Confucian explanation, specifically those of the Cheng–Zhu schools of Neo-Confucianism on the nature and functions of the mind, Korean Neo-Confucians struggled to bring Neo-Confucian li–qi metaphysics to the moral and practical issues of the human mind and moral cultivation. Later in the Joseon dynasty, some Korean Neo-Confucians discussed the fundamental limitations of li–qi metaphysics and developed their explanations for the goodness of the moral mind and the world from an alternative (i.e., theistic) viewpoint.

Author(s):  
Yiftach Fehige

Summary Thomas Nagel has proposed a highly speculative metaphysical theory to account for the cosmological significance that he claims the human mind to have. Nagel argues that the mind cannot be fully explained by Darwinian evolutionary theory, nor should theological accounts be accepted. What he proposes instead is an explanation in terms of cosmological non-purposive teleological principles. Our universe awakens to itself in each and every individual consciousness. What comes to light in a pronounced manner when consciousness arises, are the mental aspects of the stuff that the universe is made of. These mental aspects are always concurrently present with the physical aspects of the basic elements that constitute the universe. This paper situates Nagel’s cosmology in the context of discussions of the relationship between modern science and Christian theology. It focuses on the history of modern science’s efforts to locate the origins of humanity. The aim of the paper is to present a qualified “Lutheran” reading of Nagel’s theory of the cosmological significance of the human mind. This will unearth strong reasons to think that Nagel’s cosmology is less secular than it claims to be.


Open Theology ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincent M. Smiles

AbstractThis essay vindicates two major aspects of the science-based philosophy of Michael Polanyi: 1. His concept of tacit knowing, and 2. His concept of the multi-levelled character of reality. These two notions relate closely with one another, and together support the thesis to be argued here, that when it comes to understanding human beings, and most especially the human mind, science and religion have to meet on the common ground of the transcendent capacities of human beings, which are pointers to the transcendent character of the universe. The mind is an emergent of the universe, as are all of its other amazing characteristics, but mind is also, therefore, a clue to the character of the universe and its encompassing reality. Mind reflects reality; reality invites mind.


2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 60-76
Author(s):  
Tony Andrean ◽  
David Ming

"In the beginning He created the heavens and the earth, the earth was formless and empty; pitch darkness covered the great oceans, and the Spirit of God drifted over the surface of the earth '(Genesis 1: 1). chaotic "or" irregular. "(Warren Baker, Study OId Testament. AMG publisher, 1994: 2-3G.). Then in the process of creating humans for maintain the universe, but man falls into sin so that his mind or intellect is dominated by sin. What is produced by the mind ruled by sin? The Scriptures state the following: first, the human character is in vain (Romans 1:21). Second, it is not fair for anyone to be wise (Romans 3.11). Third, the human mind becomes evil (Ephesians 5: 4, the human mind is hostile to God and results in evil deeds 1.21) In further development, the universe is not getting better, it's actually getting more and more damaged. Natural disasters occur everywhere, economic conditions are chaotic, laws are violated by the leaders themselves, society is socially hostile to each other, crime is everywhere. With the chaotic event, humans crave a real change and share of activities carried out to realize these desires, among others, with the current plasticity, the transformation movement. The author conducted this research and the results are expected to provide information and additional insight for parties related to the problem of understanding the doctrine of existence and the meaning of sin, thus understanding the meaning of transformation based on the Bible to be changed to not sin anymore. The expected benefit is to provide correct knowledge to the congregation and God's servants regarding the effects of sin in their lives. Especially in service, how they anticipate sin and experience transformation changes in their lives. Thus it can remind every believer to remain faithful and abstain from every action that brings sin


Author(s):  
Geeta Mishra

"Music" is a unique creation of the universe, which transmits the senses of the conscious mind of the human being in the pastoral world to create a feeling of unlimited bliss.Innovation in music is the transmission of the emotion of the mind, which is influenced by the environment. Along with the creation and development of the universe, the expression of intensely sensitive feelings of the human mind was communicated in the form of nad (music). Brahm Swaroop "Nad" has contributed significantly in setting the human mind to the pinnacle of divinity by enlightening the Veda knowledge. ‘‘संगीत‘‘ सृष्टि की अनुपम कृति है,जो चराचर जगत में मानव केे चेतन मन की संवेदनाओं को संचारित करके असीम आनंद की अनुभूति कराती है।संगीत में नवाचार मन के संवेग का संचरण है,जो वातावरण से प्रभावित होता है। सृष्टि की रचना एवं विकास के साथ साथ ही मानव मन की तीव्र संवेदनशील भावनाओं की अभिव्यक्ति का संचार नाद(संगीत) के रूप में हुआ। ब्रह्म स्वरूप ”नाद” ने वेद ज्ञान को सामगान से आलोकित करके मानव मन को देवत्व के शिखर पर स्थापित करने में महत्वपूर्ण योगदान दिया है।


Author(s):  
Paula Witt-Enderby ◽  
Bhavna V. Mehta

This chapter will focus on Ayurveda and yoga to understand the power of the mind and body to resolve conflict. The fundamental principles of Ayurveda will be discussed in relation to the universe and body because we are a microcosm of the macrocosm. A society so rich in science, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare professionals still struggles for good health. Society continues to remain malnourished even though overfed with food causing the human mind to turn to other modalities like Ayurveda and yoga. As contemporary medicine starts with disease, Ayurveda begins with health with the focus on maintaining the health of the healthy. The fundamental principles of Ayurveda regarding the biological humors (doshas) will be discussed in relation to the five elements of ether, air, fire, water, earth. The main focus will be diet and lifestyle. This chapter will provide pearls of Ayurvedic wisdom to allow one to assimilate these practices into daily life.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 97
Author(s):  
I Ketut Donder

<p><em>The Vedas have various concepts and theories about the creation of the universe. Vedic concepts are accepted by revelation, while Vedanta theories are created through contemplative research on macrocosms and microcosms. Creation theories in Vedanta, are: Manah theory or the theory of Virat, this theory states that the universe created from the mind of God. The second is the theory of Sabda, this theory states that the universe is created from the Voice of God, this theory is similar to the Big Bang theory. Other theory is the theory of Apah, this theory states that the universe came from water, and there are also many other theories. These theories seem to be compatible with modern scientific theories. This shows that the Vedic teachings have been an inspiration for scientists.</em><em></em></p><em>The Manah theory, sabda theory, Apah theory, and other theories are embedded by Hiranyagarbha theory. This theory states that the human mind, the mind of the cosmos, and the human mind, historically-theo-cosmologically, have a very close relationship. Hiranyagarbha theory that became the foundation of Hindu Cosmology describes that before the universe was created, there was an element of astaprakriti, the eight subtle elements without size (tan matra). The eight supernatural elements are buddhi (intellect), manas (mind), ahamkara (ego), akhasa (ether), vayu (air), teja (fire), apah (water), and pritivi (land), all within the warehouse. The universe is called Hiranyagarbha. Based on the Hiranyagarbha theory, the creation of the macrocosm begins with the consciousness of God, then moves the mind of God (Manas) connected to the manas that is on Hiranyagarbha. After the macrocosm, humans were created, then the mind of God, the mind of the cosmos, and the human mind have connectivity with each other. Therefore, do not ever think negative about anything.</em>


2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 84-107
Author(s):  
Robert C. Koons

In De Anima Book III, Aristotle subscribed to a theory of formal identity between the human mind and the extra-mental objects of our understanding. This has been one of the most controversial features of Aristotelian metaphysics of the mind. I offer here a defense of the Formal Identity Thesis, based on specifically epistemological arguments about our knowledge of necessary or essential truths.


Vox Patrum ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 55 ◽  
pp. 477-498
Author(s):  
Ewa Osek

The present paper is a brief study on Julian the Apostate’s religion with the detailed analysis of the so called Helios myth being a part of his speech Against Heraclius (Or. VII), delivered in Constantinople in AD 362. In the chapter one I discuss veracity of the Gregory of Nazianzus’ account in the Contra Julianum (Or. IV-V) on the emperor’s strange Gods and cults. In the chapter two the reconstruction of the Julian’s theological system has been presented and the place of Helios in this hierarchy has been shown. The chapter three consists of the short preface to the Against Heraclius and of the appendix with the Polish translation and commentary on the Julian’s Helios myth. The Emperor’s theosophy, known from his four orations (X-XI and VII-VIII), bears an imprint of the Jamblichean speculation on it. The gods are arranged in the three neo-Platonic hypostases: the One, the Mind, and the Soul, named Zeus, Hecate, and Sarapis. The second and third hypostases contain in themselves the enneads and the triads. The Helios’ position is between the noetic world and the cosmic gods, so he becomes a mediator or a centre of the universe and he is assimilated with Zeus the Highest God as well as with the subordinated gods like Apollo, Dionysus, Sarapis, and Hermes. The King Helios was also the Emperor’s personal God, who saved him from the danger of death in AD 337 and 350. These tragic events are described by Julian in the allegorical fable (Or. VII 22). The question is who was Helios of the Julian’s myth: the noetic God, the Hellenistic Helios, the Persian Mithras, the Chaldean fire, or the Orphic Phanes, what is suggested by the Gregory’s invective. The answer is that the King Helios was all of them. The Helios myth in Or. VII is the best illustration of the extreme syncretism of the Julian’s heliolatry, where the neo-Platonic, Hellenistic, magic, and Persian components are mingled.


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