「불함문화론」을 통해 본 한국문화론 읽기의 시각과 방법

Abstract

This article aimed to explore the perspectives and methods of reading the discourse of the Korean culture. It points out that the discourse of Korean culture, a product of modern society, has not been the subject of full-scale research and raises the need for further study. It also explores the perspectives and the methods of reading the discourse of Korean culture focusing on the "Bulham cultural theory", which is considered the origin of modern discourses of Korean culture. The main points of discussion are as follows. First, this paper examined the process by which "Bulham cultural theory" is displaced in the process of discursive practice. It emphasizes that reading the discourse of Korean culture must capture the nature of the discourse itself, deepen our understanding of the discursive terrain, as well as critically reconceptualize the readings imposed by the nation-state regime. Reflective reading, which closely traces the practices and effects of the discourse, refers to a perspective and method that encompasses such multilayered reading. Second, this study discusses how to recognize the desire for cultural universality and singularity projected in the discourse of Korean culture and the comparative cultural methodology that embodies it. This paper sheds light on the fact that singularity and universality are desires generated by the nation-state regime and problematizes the concept of mediative universalism or universal universalism. The ethics of comparative culture is to distance oneself from nationalism and imperialism. Furthermore, reading the discourse of Korean culture requires a dialogic perspective and methodology with other cultures, whilst paying attention to the historical changes in culture. Finally, I suggest that a postmodern perspective, free from the shackles of nation and ethnicity, is necessary for reading the discourse of Korean culture to have a creative freshness and socio-cultural value.