This lecture series aims to explore our emotional landscape through the lens of the renowned Korean Confucian scholar, Seongho Yi Ik(星湖 李瀷, 1683- 1761) who lived through Joseon Dynasty, Korea. The Confucian project can be summarized as “Learning to be Human,” which involves not just biological development but also cultural and moral cultivation. Seongho emphasized the importance of emotional education as a crucial aspect of the Confucian cultivation program. Emotions play a significant role in understanding others and being understood, making them essential for navigating complex relationships and engaging with the world meaningfully. This series will delve into Seongho’s short yet profoundly insightful work on emotions, the New Compilation of the Four-Seven Debate (Sachil sinpyeon). His approach challenges us to think critically about our own emotional lives, how our emotions guide our moral choices, shape our relationships, and ultimately define who we become. By engaging with these lectures with curiosity and reflection, Seongho’s insights will not only enrich your understanding of Confucian moral psychology but also offer practical wisdom for leading a better life.

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What you'll learn
Understand the importance of emotional education in the Confucian cultivation program through the philosophy of Seongho Yi Ik.
Understand the impact of emotions on moral actions and human relationships.
Explore the complexities of human emotions through Seongho’s work, the New Compilation of the Four-Seven Debate (Sachil sinpyeon).
Apply Seongho’s philosophical approach to daily life to gain practical wisdom for leading a better life.
Skills you'll gain
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July 2025
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There are 8 modules in this course
This week, we’re going to learn about Seongho Yi Ik’s early life and how his childhood experiences shaped his later thinking. We’ll also look at his contributions to Neo-Confucianism and Practical Learning, as well as the historical background of the Four-Seven Debate.
What's included
7 videos2 readings1 assignment1 discussion prompt
This week, we’re going to look at Zhu Xi’s theories of moral psychology, especially how he understood human nature, emotions, and the heartmind. We’ll also be exploring how these ideas help explain moral motivation and the cultivation of ethical behavior.
What's included
6 videos1 reading1 assignment1 discussion prompt
This week, we’re going to look at how Seongho Yi Ik reinterpreted Zhu Xi's theory of emotions by grounding it in everyday life and personal practice. We’ll also explore his unique view of emotions, especially how everyday emotions can grow into moral emotions through reflection and social resonance.
What's included
6 videos1 reading1 assignment1 discussion prompt
This week, we’re going to look at Seongho Yi Ik’s perspectives on human emotions and how they relate to Confucian self-cultivation. We’ll also examine how the Four Beginnings and the Seven Emotions work together in his framework to guide moral life.
What's included
6 videos1 reading1 assignment1 discussion prompt
This week, we’re going to look at Seongho Yi Ik’s perspectives on compassion and commiseration and how they shape Confucian moral cultivation. We’ll also explore his “Dongche” model and how it connects emotions like compassion and grief to moral action and community.
What's included
6 videos1 reading1 assignment1 discussion prompt
This week, we’re going to look at Seongho Yi Ik’s perspectives on shame and disdain, and how they function in Confucian moral cultivation. We’ll also explore his “Mua” model and how these emotions help maintain moral integrity and a sense of righteousness.
What's included
6 videos1 reading1 assignment1 discussion prompt
This week, we’re going to explore Seongho Yi Ik’s views on the Fourth Beginnings, especially shi-fei (affirming/denying), and their place in Confucian emotion theory. We’ll also consider Seongho’s interpretation of affirming/denying and its role in moral psychology. Lastly, we’ll think about how wisdom works in his framework as a meta-cognitive process that completes and stores moral experiences.
What's included
6 videos1 reading1 assignment1 discussion prompt
This week, we’re going to examine Seongho Yi Ik’s perspectives on the Four Beginnings and how they contribute to Confucian moral cultivation. We’ll explore the differences between the Four Beginnings and the Seven Emotions, especially in terms of their public (gong) and private (sa) characteristics. We’ll also look at Seongho’s argument that the Four Beginnings guide and control the Seven Emotions to prevent harmful or immoral behavior.
What's included
7 videos1 reading2 assignments1 discussion prompt
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