The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Entertainment
& Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
Sports
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
Video
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
Fri, August 19, 2022 | 22:27
Letter to the Editor
Speaking against Daoists
Posted : 2014-02-21 16:46
Updated : 2014-02-21 16:46
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down
Regarding the article that prompted debate on the role of Daoism as a philosophy for the future (Jan 6, "Daoism: the philosophy for the future" by Chung Min-uck), a critical review of Professor Choi Jin-seok's arguments remains unavoidable.

Professor Choi argues that people still hold onto the old mindset of collectivism; but is that so? Although Korean society and neighboring Asian states may display such collectivism, the European continent and Latin America show little sign of this.

The Middle East, on the other hand, may seem it embraces complete collectivism; but its tendency to pursue "collective identity" through Islam differs from experiencing "collective uniformity" spurred on by the Industrial Revolution. Not to further mention the African continent and Oceania, the professor's diagnosis of societal behavior requires further scrutiny.

More puzzling is his contention that accepting the order of the universe or the "constant change" in his words leads men to "think highly of individual values embedded within people." Western individualism is already playing such a role; the world does not call for, at least not the Western hemisphere, a renewed focus on each individuality as Daoists maintain.

Moreover, Psy's "Gangnam Style" does not represent a person's growing "independence and subjectivity"; the record hit is filled with clearly over-the-line offensive gestures. Its artistic values are seriously challenged by critics across the globe, and the song is just a Korean's foul adaptation of American crude humor. The exceptional popularity with the public does not necessarily indicate the song's ingenuity; nor does it illustrate the singer's characteristic independence and subjectivity.

Choi Si-young
Editing adviser
Yonsei European Studies at Yonsei University, Seoul


 
LG
  • Suga of BTS remakes Galaxy's signature ringtone
  • Seoul to provide subsidies to households with babysitting grandparents
  • Hit TV series leads to surge in visitors to southern region of Korea seeking glimpse of dolphins
  • Korean businesses pressure gov't to lower inheritance tax
  • Government struggles to handle unused coronavirus vaccines
  • Yoon to reshuffle presidential office to regain public trust
  • Minister rebuked for 'submissive' stance toward Japan
  • Household income grows at record pace amid soaring inflation
  • Rare Joseon-era spherical sundial unveiled to public
  • Shinsegae to open integrated shopping mall in Gwangju
  • Interactive News
  • With tough love,
  • 'Santa dogs' help rebuild burnt forests in Andong
  • 'Santa dogs' help rebuild burnt forests in Andong
  • A tale of natural wine
    • 'Mukbang' binge-eating shows give way to new trend of eating little 'Mukbang' binge-eating shows give way to new trend of eating little
    • [INTERVIEW] YouTubers bridge Korean, Muslim and Latin American cultures [INTERVIEW] YouTubers bridge Korean, Muslim and Latin American cultures
    • [INTERVIEW] Jung Woo shapes his character for Netflix's 'A Model Family' [INTERVIEW] Jung Woo shapes his character for Netflix's 'A Model Family'
    • NCT Jaehyun drops first solo single 'Forever Only' NCT Jaehyun drops first solo single 'Forever Only'
    • Artist Do Ho Suh invites children to his clay fairyland Artist Do Ho Suh invites children to his clay fairyland
    DARKROOM
    • Ice is melting, land is burning

      Ice is melting, land is burning

    • Tottenham 6-3 Team K League

      Tottenham 6-3 Team K League

    • Afghanistan earthquake killed more than 1,000

      Afghanistan earthquake killed more than 1,000

    • Divided America reacts to overturn of Roe vs. Wade

      Divided America reacts to overturn of Roe vs. Wade

    • Namaste: Yogis to celebrate International Yoga Day

      Namaste: Yogis to celebrate International Yoga Day

    The Korea Times
    CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
    Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
    Tel : 02-724-2114
    Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
    Date of registration : 2020.02.05
    Masthead : The Korea Times
    Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
    • About Us
    • Introduction
    • History
    • Location
    • Media Kit
    • Contact Us
    • Products & Service
    • Subscribe
    • E-paper
    • Mobile Service
    • RSS Service
    • Content Sales
    • Policy
    • Privacy Statement
    • Terms of Service
    • 고충처리인
    • Youth Protection Policy
    • Code of Ethics
    • Copyright Policy
    • Family Site
    • Hankook Ilbo
    • Dongwha Group