Let's Be Frank - Chapter Two

II) Different Philosophical Backgrounds

Westerners and South Koreans come from different philosophical perspectives.  Western philosophy was derived mostly from Greco-Roman tradition where as Confucian philosophical and religious themes are prevalent in South Korean society.  Understanding a few key Confucian ideas will help when trying to understand Korean Culture as well as other East Asian culture who model Confucian ideals. 
Confucianism Emphasizes Four Virtues (All quotations taken from A Brief summary of Confucius and his teaching)

1. Sincerity:  A person must be truthful and straightforward and faithful to ones commitments and promises.  They must be sure to fulfill their role in the community and not pass it off on others.  They must be virtuous in their heart and in their outward actions.
2. Benevolence: A person must be concerned with the welfare of others.  They should not do anything to anyone that they would not want done to themselves (similar to the golden rule).  They must always be ready to help another person in need.
3. Filial piety: Children must obey, love and respect their parents and elders.  They should seek a life that will bring their parents happiness, comfort, and a good reputation.  An elder’s will is supreme to a child’s.
4. Propriety: A person must conduct themselves rightly according to a certain set of rules (these were specified by 300 greater rules and 3,000 lesser rules of ceremony during Confucius’s time).  These rules covered etiquette, customs and a specific moral code.  A person must follow this code diligently.

Western philosophers made conclusions based on deductive reasoning, whereas Confucius made his conclusions based upon virtue, sincerity, respect and tradition.  These different approaches are surprisingly noticeable today, and are often the root of frustration between westerners and Koreans when living and working together. 

Westerners are typically free thinkers, independent, outgoing and viewed as somewhat rebellious from traditions.  They grow up asking the “how” and “why” questions seeking explanation.  Westerners emphasize proofs for their opinions.  Sincerity and tradition are second to reason.  Confucian emphasized doing what an elder instructed; asking “why” or “how” could be conceived as disrespectful.  They seldom question authority or tradition.  For this reason many Korean’s have difficulty explaining their reasoning behind doing something, and assume it should just be understood because “that is the way it is done in Korea.” 

Respect for elders is taught, and pretty much expected, from a very young age in South Korea.  Families typically function as units, where all generations care for one another according to their age and ability.  The roles for men and women are more defined.  The man is head of his home, yet he is subject to his superiors at work, and the government.   Grandparents often support their children financially and are often actively involved in raising their grandchildren until they are in need of care themselves.  Every generation serves it’s proper role.  

 
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