Introduction
It is important to note that the human ego partly drives inequality based on self-sufficiency instead of self-renunciation, which makes one feel superior to others. The analysis will focus on the neo-Confucian feminist philosopher Im Yunjidang, whose legacy is that she brought feminism into Confucianism. She understands the issue of effort and grace as a tension between gi and i, in which the root cause of the problem is the prioritization of the latter over the former. Therefore, their nature limits effort and reason, but they can change into superior grace and energy when transformed. Action plans to introduce Im Yunjidang’s philosophical ideas, followed by the analysis of Simone Kotva’s key within the context of feminist neo-Confucianism.
Im Yunjidang’s Philosophical Ideas
Firstly, to properly understand the philosophical concepts of Im Yunjidang, it is helpful to define them first. At the core, the philosopher criticized traditional Confucianism for its excessive focus on i, which refers to reason and the universal order of the external (Kim, 2022). As a result, the derived conclusions in Confucianism became i-centric, which led to the notions of patriarchy and men’s superiority to women.
She argued that gi, which constitutes energy and the internal order, is superior to i, which merits equality among all living beings (Kim, 2022). She called for moral self-cultivation within Confucianism, which deeply mirrors the concept of self-renunciation described by Kotva (2020) (Kim, 2022). Therefore, the similarity between the two philosophers’ works and ideas provides an opportunity to deepen the overall understanding of the issues of effort and grace.
Self-Sufficiency and I
Secondly, one should know that a human being’s ability to reason, rationalize, or deduce is limited. Kotva (2020) states that “the human is dependent on its creator: the human mind has limits to its effort. This recalls the Jansenist idea of human nature as fallen, unable to reach the truth” (p. 35).
In other words, the emphasis is placed on the limitation of the human mind and reason. Im Yunjidang places equivalent importance on the restrictedness and flaws of human reason or i (Kim, 2022). There is a recognition that excessive reliance on self-sufficiency in thinking and analyzing can significantly impact how the world is interpreted.
In general, both philosophers critique the materialistic perspective, where only the external organization of the world is of primary concern. Kotva (2020) writes, “The arrival of grace is implicit in the finitude of the meditator who can achieve nothing by their efforts” (p. 34). For example, an atheist man might use the limited information he has alongside the available knowledge on biology to deduce that men are superior to women, justifying misogyny. His effort was limited, and he focused on i or his flawed reasoning without considering each woman’s or God’s inner world (Kim, 2022). The key mistake or problem was placing greater importance on the limited effort, i, and reasoning through self-sufficiency instead of accounting for a greater force of gi and grace.
Self-Cultivation and Self-Renunciation
Thirdly, the issue of effort and grace entails a person renouncing themself to achieve grace. According to Kotva (2020), “It also recalls the idea of the Self overwhelmed by God, and so the Self abandons itself to God, accepts its limits, and invokes grace” (p. 35). In other words, self-renunciation or abandoning selfhood is critical for achieving grace.
Im Yunjidang understands this concept through the neo-Confucian idea of moral self-cultivation (Kim, 2022). Both self-cultivation and self-renunciation inherently call for acknowledging human limitations in an effort, such as reasoning (Kotva, 2020; Kim, 2022). The next stage of the process is about the abandonment of the self, and the latter implies that one should drop the ego-centrism on which the sense of self-superiority is based. Essentially, the self-renunciation and self-cultivation processes humble the person and open new opportunities to appreciate the infinity of the creator and the equality of all beings.
Grace and Gi
Fourthly, the final and ultimate stage to aspire towards is a state of grace. Kotva (2020) writes, “Gaze with wonder and adoration on the beauty of this immense light, so far as the eye of my darkened intellect can bear it” (p. 32). It indicates that both Kotva and Yunjidang view the self as something that must be broken down and transcended to access a greater truth or force, a transformation that leads to grace or gi. Im Yunjidang states that self-cultivation allows the inner light of gi to shine brighter, illuminating the path toward an understanding that aligns more with universal principles (Kim, 2022). As a result, the individual who engages in self-cultivation starts experiencing a fundamental shift from focusing on i to gi, which enables greater appreciation for the inherent equality and unity among all beings.
Both philosophers advocate for the shift in perspective from self-centeredness towards an inclusive view that acknowledges and respects the equality of all life forms. In addition, one should note that this transformation process requires individuals to recognize and overcome their limitations, thus ensuring their growth and evolution towards a more compassionate and understanding being (Kim, 2022). In essence, the teachings of both philosophers converge on the point that understanding the limitations of i and harnessing the potential of ‘gi’ is essential for nurturing a better existence and society.
Conclusion
In conclusion, both effort and i are limited by their nature, but one can achieve grace when transformed through self-cultivation and self-renunciation. The further study of Im Yunjidang’s philosophy provides a fresh lens through which one can examine traditional structures and beliefs, offering an alternative perspective emphasizing equality, respect, and understanding. Today’s discussion is interesting because humanity still grapples with inequality, injustice, and greed, manifested in excessive materialism.
References
Kim, S. (2022). Im Yunjidang. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
Kotva, S. (2020). Effort and grace: On the spiritual exercise of philosophy. New York, NY: Bloomsbury Academic.