도원 류승국의 통일관과 청년관을 통해 본 현대 한국철학의 역할

Abstract

This study examines the consciousness of the author as a contemporary figure through his discussions on the reunification issue and youth issues by focusing on the writings of Dowon Ryu Seungguk, a first-generation Korean philosopher. Through such endeavors, it aims to discuss how Korean philosophy can contribute to addressing the challenges faced by Korean society in the 20th and 21st centuries. Dowon viewed the spiritual archetype of Korean philosophy, from "Hongik Ingan" in the myth of Dangun to "Indaecheon" in Cheondogyo, as always responding to historical situations and providing philosophical agendas necessary for contemporary society. From Dangun to the modern era, Dowon perceived that the archetype of Korean philosophy, encompassing various ideological struggles of the Korean people, revolved around "humanity" and "harmony." Here, the "humanity" Dowon spoke of refers to the role of humans positioned between heaven and earth, actively engaging in societal and worldly affairs, thereby converging the problems of heaven(religion) and earth(material) into human issues. "Harmony" is the method of integrating various dichotomies that can proliferate into conflicts and divisions, ensuring that the original subject is not lost in the influx of external thoughts or cultures. Dowon diagnosed the contemporary situation of Korea as one where the originality of Korean thought and the distorted subject under the Cold War regime were severed amid the proliferation of foreign ideologies and thoughts. Moreover, compounded by the tragedy of national division, this disconnection and alienation were exacerbated, not only posing a problem for the present but also burdening future generations, leading to the wanderings of the youth responsible for Korea's future. To address this situation, Dowon suggested aligning the archetype of national thought shared by both the North and the South with the times while not neglecting contemporary society. He hoped that the youth as "intellectual beings" could harmonize the archetype of Korean philosophy with their reality, thus not only illuminating their own future but also that of future Korea. In fact, the aspiration of Dowon to achieve national reunification and a bright future for the youth by harmonizing the principles of "humanity" and "harmony" with the times has become an even more pressing issue today. Despite the intensified polarization and difficulty in resolving the reunification and youth issues in the decade since Dowon's passing, it is paradoxically evident that Dowon's proposition of harmonizing the archetypes of "humanity" and "harmony" with various ideologies constituting modern Korea remains relevant.