This lecture series explores our emotional landscape through the thought of Seongho Yi Ik (1683- 1761), one of the most original Confucian thinkers of late Joseon Korea. Rooted in the Confucian project of “Learning to be Human,” the course examines how emotional cultivation is essential not only to moral development but also to understanding others and living well in community. Centered on Seongho’s New Compilation of the Four-Seven Debate (Sachil sinpyeon), the lectures trace his major philosophical innovations: his vivid social metaphors of emotion, his naturalistic and embodied account of emotional life, his creative engagement with Western learning, and his expanded view of the emotional spectrum through both philosophical and digital approaches.

The course also considers his reflections on the emotions of sages, the emergence of public emotions from private life, the role of ritual in cultivating shared moral feeling, and the continuing relevance of his thought to the Korean concept of Jeong today. Through these lectures, Seongho’s insights offer both a deeper understanding of Confucian moral psychology and practical wisdom for tuning our own emotions.

When we think about Korean Thought or Korean Philosophy, much of the focus tends to be on the distinguished figures, their writings, and their intellectual debates. Korean Political Thought, however, while not entirely overlooked, remains relatively underexplored, and perhaps, underappreciated. But, we should remember that most Korean Confucians were not merely intellectuals. They aspired to put their ideas into action, trying to realize an ideal Confucian society. In that sense, they were also politicians, either with or without government participation. As such, they are often referred to as scholar-officials. It is, therefore, crucial to understand what their political visions were, how their ideas influenced Korean society, and what we can learn from them to make our world a better place. This lecture series, featuring eight thought-provoking sessions, offers a valuable introduction to Korean Political Thought. It is designed to engage everyone, both those already familiar with Korean philosophy and those encountering it for the first time.