Educational Goals

• Traditionally, Western ethics have focused on the epistemology of the pursuit of moral truth based on a rational ethical view, whereas the main principles of Eastern ethics focus on the practical theories rather than moral and philosophical thinking. To lead a moral life, it is important to know the ideals and principles of a moral life, but one must first have moral character. This is because a moral life requires a person possesses the intelligence of the West and virtues of the East. For the Ethics major to serve as a guide for moral life, it must be able to raise interest in moral issues and foster moral disposition. Above all, this task requires a combination of Western knowledge theory and Eastern behavioral theory. However, the reality of today’s Ethics academic circles in Korea is that, unless it is a moral or philosophical argument, classical commentaries are the mainstream. In this academic climate, Ethics as a practical science cannot hold significance. Thus, the Ethics course of this graduate school aims to establish a new normative ethical system based on the universal values of Korean culture and gain ethical insight into the problems that we constantly face in our daily life.

Educational Focus

• Develop an ethical perspective based on a broad understanding of Eastern and Western classics.
• Cultivate the ability to establish a new normative ethics based on the universal values of Korean culture.
• Cultivate the ability to apply the theoretical knowledge of ethics to solve ethical problems.
• Help students understand the educational methodology of moral intelligence and character for the unity of moral knowledge and life.
• Help students have a socio-ethical perspective on the moral justification of social institutions and policies.