Kang,+JungwookF2011

F Kang Jungwook Ancient History III



Christianity Group Questions - Koryo: Govt. based on Buddhism but corrupted Buddhist had exploit their power. - Choson: converted to Confucianism to build strict and orderly society. It became dominant by the eighteenth century. First Catholic church was formed. Its belief such as equality and marriage system appealed to Koreans. - Catholicism was viewed as a treat, was outlawed in 1785. At least 8,000 Korean Christians were persecuted, but Catholicism continues to spread rapidly. ||
 * = Reading number and Title ||= Period being addressed ||= Three major (the power of three, sometimes you get two sometimes four) points drawn from this period ||
 * = 2: Growth of Christianity ||= 1780s- 1880s ||= Koryo and Choson kingdom

1. Why might Korea under the Confucian Chosŏn dynasty have been an especially fertile ground for Christianity to take root?

Confucianism promotes social hierarchy. In such a community, those who belong to a lower social class would seek for change; they would want a religion that values equality. The essence of Christianity was fortunately equality of all human beings regardless of their gender and occupation. Thus, women and people of lower social status particularly supported the spreading of Christianity.

2. What other religion that existed in Korea might have appealed to lower classes in a similar manner as Christianity? How might this other religion have been hindered in attracting new followers?

Because the regime of Koryo was corrupted, the newfound regime of Choson as well as its people, including people of lower social status, would have been attracted to legalism: a philosophy that promotes the “rule of law.” They would have thought that, had legalism been implemented earlier, the government would have been less corrupt.

3. Why did the government care which religion people practiced?

If the people supported a religion that went against its principles, its legitimacy would be questioned. Thus, in order to have better control of its people, the government tried to control religion. In many cases, religions have been used as a tool and had planted an impetus to overthrow governments.


 * The Role of Shamanism & Fortune-Telling in Korean Culture- 10/10/11**

Document 2
 * 1) **Why are fortune-telling and Shamanism still practiced in Korea?**
 * People believe in Fortune-telling and Shamanism because they want somewhere to rely on in their hard times and because the fortune telling has some truth in it and people think that they can get relieved from it. Also, with those papers that the people give, they will be able to get good luck. The people’s internal conflicts drive people to believe in this ritual.


 * 1) Describe the attitudes of the Korea University students about fortune-telling and Shamanism.
 * The attitudes of the Korea University students about fortune-telling and Shamanism are very indifferent; they seem to have no interest whether Shamanism is right or wrong. Without being indignant, they accept why some Korean elders go visit Shamanism. Whether they believe in it or not, the students find the fortune-telling is interesting and fun.


 * 1) What was your group's reaction to their points of view?
 * Our group's reaction was very similar to the Koreans in the interview. We did not grow indignant and disrespect our elders, but rather understood that there are some elders who believe in Shamanism.
 * 1) List three questions your group could ask the students.
 * 1. Is there any difference in fortune-telling and Shamanism?
 * 2. What justification would Shamanist give to prove that they are logical?
 * 3. Does going to Shamanist relieve the stress?
 * 1) What else do you need to know?
 * The Catholics and Christians don’t necessarily respect Shamanism but some Korean Christians still visit clairvoyant foreseers in order to better understand their fate and future.



Han Fei mentions that a ruler is a “right” ruler only if he enforces the law. Plus, “the intelligent sovereign makes the law select men,” indicates that the laws are not made for the government officials; it is made for the men who follow the law.
 * QUESTIONS FOR ANALYSIS**
 * 1) In Han Fei's ideal state what is the supreme governing authority, the will of the ruler or the law?

2. What are the "Two Handles" and how important are they to a legalist state? Why must the sovereign never surrender control over the two handles?

The “Two Handles” are chastisement punishment and commendation. Those who do not follow the laws are punished, and those who do are given a reward. The laws of the Legalist state apply to all people including officials and citizens. If the ruler gains control over the “Two Handles,” then it promises the ministers’ pledge to the ruler, and enforces liberality and justice in law. When the sovereign surrenders control over the “Two Handles,” then the ruler will lose his power, and the ministers who do not have justice, will gain control over the people.

3.What roles do individuality and private initiative play in Han Fei's ideal state?

Since Han Fei’s ideal state deals with the enforcement of law under at any moment, individuality tends to disappear. Individuality is not highly praised in Legalism, because the society is maintained through the law, not the people themselves.

4.Why do you think Legalism appealed to some people?

Like Confucianism does, Legalism can be appealing because it focuses on people's ability not their status. It looks fair and righteous and like Christianity, it makes people believe in equality since all of the people are treated equally under the law.

5.Imagine a series of conversations among a Daoist, a Confucian, and a Legalist. How would each respond on the following issues: What is the purpose of good government? What role does morality play in formulating law? What are the qualities of a superior ruler? The proposition "Might makes right."

A Daoist would believe that the purpose of a good government is to bring peace. Morality is not such a major factor to consider when formulating law, because a Daoist government is unlikely to enforce any, whether it is based on morality or not. Daoists would believe that a superior ruler is one who does not take action in order to enforce anything, but leaves the natural world to work out in its own pure way. Daoism is clearly the opposite of the statement: “Might makes right” as they believe that it is unnecessary force anything to happen. A Confucian would believe that a good government will be the role model of the people. Therefore, they have the responsibility to do moral things in order to lead the citizens to be moral as well. Also, the laws should be based on morality, but the enforcement of law will depend on the relationships of people. A superior ruler should be a intelligent and people should be able to look up at him. A Confucian does not believe that social status is more important than talent and intelligence, so “Might makes right” would not be an inaccurate description of their society. Nevertheless, the government officials are still the ones who make the laws. A Legalist would state that the purpose of a good government is to enforce laws and make a justice society. Legalism will depend on morality, and morality will be what creates laws, rewards, and punishments. A superior ruler would be one who has control over the “Two Handles” and recognizes the way in which they can enforce the laws with them. They should be a strict figure who will match the quote: “Might makes right.”

=Assignment 2=

Go to the Essential Quotes of Taoism above and read through them. Be sure to note down answers to the following questions. (Be prepared to share your answers):

1. In //Lectures on the Tao Teh Ching//, Lao-Tzu says, that, "The mystery of the Mysterious is the gateway to all indescribable marvels". Does this quote have an equivalent to in Christianity? Are there other parts of the Tao Teh Ching that remind you of Christian ideals?

"The mystery of the Mysterious" has similar nuances as the concepts of heaven and hell in Christianity. "Those two come from the same source but are differently named" seems to refer to heaven and hell in Christianity too because those two places are essentially where people go after death. Thus heaven and hell come from the same source but people have named them differently.

2. See Passage 2, "Not honoring men....Not wanting rare things...Not paying attention..." How are does this help one understand how Taoism, Buddhism and Confucianism found common ground and were not mutually exclusive belief systems?

"Not honoring men....Not wanting rare things...Not paying attention..." contains principles of Taoism, Buddhism and Confucianism. “Not honoring men of worth” has the connection to Confucianism because Confucius respects people with skill and knowledge rather than their positions and wealth. “Not wanting rare things” has, then, connection to Buddhism because the religion emphasizes to eliminate desire. “Not paying attention to the desirable” can be interpreted by Taoist because Taoism asks to follow natural things rather than seeking "unnatural."

3. In Passage 2, what do you think is meant by the lines, "relaxing the mind, reinforcing the abdomen, gentling the will, strengthening the bones"?

I think the lines ask readers to focus more on themselves than pursing secular goals. The previous lines of passage 2 forbid people not to behave secular: honoring men of worth, eliminating desire and to follow one's natural tendency. These lines ask people what not to do while this quote says what people should do. Therefore, inferring from the previous context, "relaxing the mind, reinforcing the abdomen, gentling the will, strengthening the bones" means to improve oneself through training one's mind and body.

4. Consider the last three entries from D.C. Lau's //Lao Tzu: Tao Te Ching//, Lao Tzu describes government. How is this ideal different from Confucius' ideal? What present day system of government are you reminded of when you read this section? Do you think this is a good system? Explain.

Lau Tzu believes that people should let government do what it pleases because if government does good, it would prosper and if it does bad, it would fail; he thinks it's natural way and it would happen automatically without the interference of people. Therefore, he thinks it's useless to participate in government system. Confucius thinks people should follow what government does like Lau Tzu thinks. But Confucius thinks people always have to watch their government closely to clarify whether the government still has the will of god. If they think the current government is abandoned by the god, they can change it. In fact, no present day system of government follow theses philosophies but I think Taoism has similarity to communism because they are more focused on the theories that are not often fit with the current events. In other words, they are not flexible. In contrary, Confucianism has little bit more flexibility because it can "change." Furthermore, it focuses on the ability and not theory. Therefore, there is always possibility that wrong thoughts can be mended. So I would describe it is similar to democracy. However, it is similar and not the same because Confucian government can be easily lead by a few powerful people. I don't think they are good system for the government which always need to adjust itself toward the rapidly changing world. The systems are more fit to people's life styles because they are traditional system that have been designed to lead and decide the value of people. Thus they have more value on individuals rather than on the whole.

5. Regarding the third treasure that Lao Tzu describes, what do you think is his message? Do you agree? What does this say about people who are ambitious? Lao Tzu would believe that people who are ambitious fail to succeed, while those who are easy and patient prosper. I believe that ambition is necessary, but one should not use this ambition to step over others; he or she should focus on their own effort and determination and appreciate those who are pursuing the same path.

=Assignment 1=

Why does the author choose a butterfly? The butterfly is a small creature compared to humans which indicates it does not mean neither importance nor values. Therefore, author chooses butterfly to contrast with humans. What is the importance of the water cycle? Constant change of state

What is the point about the 'man raising melons'? At once, the man was a prince but he changes to ordinary farmer.

What is the author attempting to convey to the reader? Things always change. So don’t let others determine what you are because nobody knows who you really are. You can always change.

Wiki spot __**Cottleston Pie Block F 2011 Semester 1**__

Questions of 'Tao of Pooh'


 * 1) 1-10: Sean D Kim
 * 2) 11-21: Jungwook Kang
 * 3) 22-32: Brian Kim
 * 4) What is the significance of the painting Hoff describes named The Vinegar Tasters? (2)
 * In the painting Hoff described were three men, each with different reactions from tasting the vinegar. Those three men represents Three teachings of China. The first man, K'ung Fu-tse, who has sour look on his face, viewed the life very sour. The second man, Buddha, who has a bitter face, viewed the life very bitter. The third man, Lao-tse, who has a smile on his face, is the author of the oldest book of Taoism.
 * 1) What is the theme of life according to Hoff’s interpretation of Taoism? (5-6)
 * The theme of life according to Hoff's interpretation of Taoism is happiness. Taoists just simply enjoy the happiness in life.
 * 1) How does Hoff explain the “uncarved block” metaphor? (10)
 * Uncarved block is a metaphor which refers to simplicity. Instead of viewing things with complexity,
 * 1) What is the secret message of the “uncarved block?” (2)
 * The secret message is that things should not be viewed with too much complexity. Too much thinking will only confuse the substantial meaning of things.
 * 1) What was the main conflict between the Confucianists and Taoists according to Hoff? (24)
 * The main conflicts between the Confucianists and Taoists according to Hoff happens because Confucianist scholars are too intellectual. Their knowledge restricts them from understanding Taoism, which put emphasis on simplicity.
 * 1) Which of Milne’s characters represent Confucianists and Taoists according to Hoff?
 * The educated ones among Milne's characters, Rabbit, Eeyore, Owl represent Confucianists; on the other hand, the uneducated but simple one, Pooh represents Taoist.
 * 1) What is Hoff’s opinion of Confucianist scholars? (26)
 * Hoff was rather negative towards the Confucianist scholars, for they cannot view things as they really are, but instead chooses to describe using fancy words that only they can understand. Their biased knowledge narrows their sight of seeing the nature as it is.
 * 1) What does Hoff say about knowledge vs. experience? (29)
 * Hoff says that knowledge and experience are different. Knowledge obtained from experience are much more valuable than knowledge that did not.
 * 1) What do most scholars blame for problems in the world? Why isn’t it justified? (32)
 * Scholars blame the non-educated people by rationalizing the problems. What they failed to understand is that their logic cannot find things to blame every time things go wrong because sometimes things happen beyond their logic.
 * 1) What is the difference between “cleverness” and “Inner Nature?” (38)
 * The main difference between cleverness and Inner Nature is that Inner nature focuses on oneself when cleverness does not. While developing cleverness only means increasing knowledge like Confucian scholars, discovering Inner Nature is a self-actualization. It is becoming what you were meant to be when you are born; that requires discovering your innate talents and limit. According to taoism, developing Inner Nature is more important than cleverness.

11. Explain Hoff’s interpretation of the Chinese quote: “One disease, long life; No disease, short life.” (48) Those who know what's wrong with them and take care of themselves accordingly will tend to live a lot longer than those who consider themselves perfectly healthy and neglect their weaknesses.

12. What does Hoff mean when he states that we must learn to “work with Things As They Are?” (50) We do not need to find answers to "things." It would just make us conclude that there is no absolute answers and make us more curious about other questions.

13. What happens to people who do not listen to their Inner Nature? (57) If people do not listen to their inner nature, they can be easily fooled. They do not understand them very much. Having little understanding of themselves, they have little respect for themselves, and are therefore easily influenced by others.

14. What is the Way of Self-Reliance? (57-8) The way of Self-Reliance starts with recognizing who we are, what we've got to work with, and what works best for us.

15. How can we change ourselves effectively through the principles of Taoism? (58) We can change ourselves effectively through discovering somethings about ourselves that we don't like. Then we can decide whether to get rid of them completely, change them into other thigns, or use them in beneficial ways.

16. What is the Wu Wei or “The Pooh Way” according to Hoff? (67-8) Wu Wei or "The Pooh Way" is not to go against the nature of things; no clever tampering. It is like that of the water because it evolves from an inner sensitivity to the natural rhythm of things.

17. How does the quote, “Tao does not do, but nothing is not done,” explain Wu Wei or “The Pooh Way?” (70) Tao doesn't force or interfere with things, but lets them work in their own way, to produce results naturally. This explain Wu Wei by supporting 'not going against nature of things.' Tao practices Wu Wei: he would work on nature and by little effort, he would see the things are done 'naturally.'

18. How does Tai Chi reflect Wu Wei or Taoism as a martial art? (87-8) Martial art reuses opponent's force to reflect the energy back to the opponent. In the sense of natural flow and reflection, Wu Wei and martial art have congruent points. Wu Wei overcomes force by neutralizing power and by the understanding of the energy, one can use it again or counter it without much effort.

19. Are you a Bisy Backson? (94) Pretty thoughtful question it is. In fact, I agree with the point. Yes, I am a Bisy Backson. When I work, exercise and play, I get stressed.

20. What is the Bisy Backson view of American history according to Hoff? (103-104) American history is the history to change things. But Americans do not really eager to change themselves. Thus they would interfere with things they have no business interfering with. Although their behaviors are supervised by the wise, it is still not easy to control their tendencies.

21. What is the Bisy Backson view of American history according to Hoff? (103-104) Bisy Backson believes that he has to overcome things in order to progress and make changes to everything.

22. How does the Bisy Backson waste time by trying to save it? (108-109) As the Bisy Backson tries to save every bit of time, he ends up wasting the whole thing. And sine he has practically no time at all, he was too busy wasting it by trying to save it.

23. What is the Youthful Immortal? (108-9) Youthful Immortal is the idea that is been made when Taoist discovered the Secrets of Life and it is divided into three things: a long life of youthful appearance, outlook, and energy.

**- It's the process we go through to reach the goals that make us happy, because, once the goal is reached, the goal doesn't mean so much. Reward is not so rewarding once the reward is given. However, the process one takes to reach the goal lasts forever, and is more meaningful.**
 * 24. What makes us happy in life the goals or the process we go through to reach the goals? Why? (111)**

**25. What is the significance of The Stonecutter? (118-9)****- The principle the stonecutter teaches is that one should be satisfied with his life and the given situation.**

**26. Explain the significance of the following line from the Tao Te Ching: “From caring comes courage.” (128)**

**- The significance of this phrase is that courage comes from the heart one has, not his knowledge or wisdom.**

**27. Where does one find Wisdom, Happiness and Courage? (137)**

**One finds wisdom, happiness, and courage could be found on one's journey. Those things are not found at the end of the journey. They all start from the beginning, on the way, and at the end.** **28. What is the “Great Nothing?” (143)**
 * The great nothing is an idea that there is something important which is really nothing at all.**

**29. Why is an “Empty sort of mind” so valuable according to Taoism? (146-7)**

**- Empty space is valuable according to Taoism because one can fill in the empty space with reasoning and peace. Also, one is able to look back at himself with on the empty space. One is not bothered by any other things.** **30. Interpret the following quote: “To attain knowledge, add things every day. To attain wisdom, remove things every day.” (148-9)**
 * It means in order to attain knowledge one has to be eager to learn and try to learn through many sources such as books or someone else who is knowledgable. However, in order to attain wisdom, one has to empty out his mind. He needs to remove unnecessary and useless knowledge to have some space for wisdom.**

**31. Why is the child the highest stage of development? (151)****-****Because their minds are empty and free from useless knowledge. They have space and open-minds to accept wisdom. They are more likely to accept something valuable into their open minds.**

**32. Why may knowledge and cleverness destroy life as we know it? (154)****- Knowledge and cleverness might destroy one's life, because as one focuses so much to gain knowledge and cleverness one might become very egotistical. Also, as he only focuses on gaining knowledge, he might lose his own uniqueness and identity.**

Asian Studies Presentation


 * "Confucius say..."**

1. What qualities of Confucius do you think might have made him a good teacher? Do you think he would still be considered a good teacher if he were alive today in our own society? Why or why not? (Note: What do you learn in particular about his teaching from passage 21?)

Confucius knows how to guide people in neutral ways. In other words, he knows how to follow the “middle path” so that he does not lead people to extreme ways. Therefore, when he meets a person who is about to retire, he asks him to go forward but when he meets a person who has too much energy, he tells him to get advises from his brother and father who can contemplate more deeply for the over-energetic person. I think he can still be considered as a good teacher because he can come up with solutions that fit for each person. He does not have general solution but he can give appropriate solution to each of the person.

2. What qualities do you think Confucius would look for in an educated person? Confucius would look for responsibility in an educated person. Responsibility specifically refers to how a person uses his or her power. It is the attitude to use the power correctly and not to get corrupted. He would also look for the educated person’s faithfulness to superiors, rulers and elders. Thus he would consider whether the person is suitable for the society.

3. How do you think Confucius saw his own role? (See, for example, passages 10 and 25.) Confucius thought his own role was to tell the world or people what to do in the age of chaos. “If I do not associate with mankind, with whom shall I associate? If the Way prevailed in the world, there would be no need for me to change it” (18:6). The knowledge he had was not from his original thoughts but the thoughts that used to exist from long time ago. He even compares himself to an official of the Shang dynasty who had loved to recite old stories.





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WHAT DO RELIGION AND PHILOSOPHY HAVE IN COMMON? And, WHY IS THE STUDY OF RELIGION AND PHILOSOPHY IMPORTANT?

Religion and philosophy are for inspiring people and provide them some ideas that might help them organize or classify the world into simpler stages. So religion and philosophy help people understand the world better. The study of religion and philosophy is important because they exist throughout the system of world and the mind of people. In fact, a lot of people act according to their religions and philosophies that they believe in.