Abstract
This article examines Liji and Yili with a special focus on Philip Pettit’s ‘non-domination’. Pettit redefines freedom as non-domination rather than non-interference. Human beings cannot live alone. They live in community. In community, non-interference is not the solution for individual freedom. For freedom, individuals should be in the state of not being dominated by anyone. Individuals hold each other not only in mutual dependance but also in check. Li or propriety aims at the social system, in which non-domination is guaranteed in any human relationship. Li supports social order based on age, class, gender, and race. However, the difference of age, class, gender, and race confirmed by li does not aim at creating dominance-subordination between individuals. It rather aims at equality derived from power balance. The way of behavior according to li is based on ‘respect’. ‘Respect’ is self-control not to dominate others. It also functions as an ideological method to check others’ dominance. Quli, the first chapters of Liji is analyzed with a focus on non-domination in face-to-face relationship between individuals in everyday life. Li in everyday life guides individuals to the behavior not dominating others. If an individual violate li, it often means that he intends to dominate others. Yili illustrates how to keep mutual respect between power groups. The behavior for mutual respect is significant to guarantee non-domination between power groups. If a king misbehaves in a diplomatic event, it is interpreted as an attempt to dominate other countries. If he violate li in a national ceremony, it may be understood as a sign of dominating his subjects and it may be led to his resignation.
| Translated title of the contribution | Rethinking li in Liji and Yili with a Special Focus On Non-domination |
|---|---|
| Original language | Korean |
| Pages (from-to) | 91-116 |
| Number of pages | 26 |
| Journal | 철학논집 |
| Volume | 36 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Feb 2014 |