한국사상 원형 담론 데이터베이스 구축 연구의 필요성

Abstract

This paper raises the need for a study on the establishment of an archetype discourse database (DB) on Korean thoughts. The archetype discourse on Korean thoughts and ideas is an important material that not only helps us understand the origin of Korean thoughts, but also signifies the historical perspective, perception of identity, and the psychological intention and many other elements of a subject who engages in the discourse. Especially, matters concerning to the subject’s perception are related to the international situation of the time, and they are also the basis of the identity politics in the present. Globalization based on the neo-liberal economic system unexpectedly and paradoxically resulted in the revival of nationalism in developing and small countries, and there is a growing concern that the order of global community which has just experienced the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic would shift from globalization to localism, accelerating the nation-centrism policies in most countries and reconstructing the world thereby. Of course, one can criticize nationalism as a fictional concept based on nation, that is imagined communities. Nevertheless, our modern societies already operate on a nation basis, and ethnic conflicts and tension are not new. In particular, in the Northeast Asia where Korea is located, the perception and perspective of the past have a great impact on the overall situation of the region, and reunification of North and South still remain the mission of the nation. Therefore, it is necessary to reconsider the national identity and communal spirit of the people to cope with the changing situation. The emphasis of the origin of Dangun at the end of Goryeo dynasty which suffered the intervention of Yuan, the rising of Gija Joseon study after the wars in the later Joseon dynasty, and the new light on Dangun myth throughout the modern transition period of Joseon and the Japanese colonial period, all reflected the spirit of the time which sought to establish national identity and strength the national unity of the nation in such time of upheaval. The establishment of an identity, unity of community, and reflection on the foregoing to cope with the rapidly changing international situation of today cannot be done by the current political ideologies. On the other hand, it is possible by an archetype discourse on our ancestors’ thoughts, which constituted the origin or roots of the Korean nation. For this reason, the current paper suggests that as an academic method, we initiate a comprehensive research on and give a structure to the archetype discourse of Korean thoughts. This is a preliminary study, seeking to compile the materials of ‘discourse’ in order to research and reflect on the subject matters, before delving into the actual study of the archetype of the thoughts itself. The study of an archetype discourse on Korean thoughts, through such preparation can be applied to a wider range of academic disciplines, including philosophy, social studies, cultural psychology, social psychology, politics, and Korean studies, as it will reveal the Korean perception about the essential identity of the Korean thoughts.