일제강점기 일본 유학생 채필근과 미국 유학생 한치진의 철학하기

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to unravel the commonalities between Chae Pil-geun and Han Chi-jin, the first generation of Koreans to accept Western philosophy. That is, both studied abroad and were Christians, and their philosophical orientations manifested themselves in similar ways in academic and social circles after their return to Korea. The research also sought to determine the differences in orientation toward philosophy between these two figures and philosophers from Gyeongseong University. Chae Pil-geun and Han Chi-jin hailed from the northwest region of Korea, grew up in a Christian family, and were educated at a Christian school. They studied philosophy in Japan and the United States, respectively, and after returning to Korea, they attended Pyongyang Soongsil College, Pyongyang Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Methodist Hyeopseong Theological Seminary, and Ewha Womans University. They taught philosophy professionally, but the environments that they encountered were very different. Chae Pil-geun encountered Western philosophy in its translated and adapted forms from Japan, whereas Han Chi-jin approached Western philosophy directly through the English language in the United States. These experiences helped me focus on the different philosophies, translations, and adaptations that these scholars faced upon returning to their homeland. For Chae Pil-geun, his adeptness at Japanese played a positive role, and from the late 1930s to 1945, it prevented him from being accused of being pro-Japanese. Conversely, Han Chi-jin was not well-versed in Japanese, which impeded his academic and teaching activities. After the liberation, however, his proficiency in English paved the way for active involvement in social initiatives. These two can be said to be the first generation of Korean Christian philosophers who practiced philosophy without losing their Christian identities. Their philosophy shows that although their orientations differ from those of Gyeongseong University graduates, they empathize with society.