[KS] Korea's Confucian Tradition

[Koen De Ceuster]

Sure, I am obviously not contesting the existence of a Confucian tradition
in Korea. At the same time, I do not want to stick too rigidly to Hobsbawm's
definition: some (modern) traditions are plainly invented, many also have
antecedents. What I am interested in, is how these antecedents are
reinterpreted to suit contemporary demands. You use the word 'translation.'
Well, that is indeed what I was thinking of. Following all the critique in
late 19th C Korea on Confucian traditions, some form of 'translation' must
have taken place in order for it to regain some standing. So, in that sense
I am following Hobsbawm in as far as indeed this tradition is
(re-)'invented' in the process of modernization.

But we may be talking about two different things here: the residue of
Confucian traditions in Korean societies, and the discourse on Korea's
Confucian tradition. They are altogether two different things.

Koen

 -----Original Message-----
From: 	Koreanstudies-admin at koreaweb.ws
[mailto:Koreanstudies-admin at koreaweb.ws]  On Behalf Of Frank Hoffmann
Sent:	dinsdag 11 februari 2003 10:55
To:	Koreanstudies at koreaweb.ws
Subject:	RE: [KS] Korea's Confucian Tradition

>... would it be
>a non-starter to begin our investigation into Korea's Confucian tradition
>with the statement that it is an invented tradition?

E.g., is the group morning exercise an invented
Confucian tradition, or is it just the translation of Confucian
family values to an industrialized Asian society?  In other words, we
do have to consider that indeed there are Confucian traditions and
value systems that have formed Korea.

Frank