Im Yunjidang

Im Yunjidang

From Philosophy Talk: Select Episodes by Philosophy Talk

December 6, 2025 · 51 min

About this episode

The episode explores the life and philosophy of 18th-century Korean philosopher Im Yunjidang, focusing on her arguments for women's equality and moral decision-making.

More at https://www.philosophytalk.org/shows/im-yunjidang. 18th-century Korean philosopher Im Yunjidang was the first Confucian to argue for women’s equality in matters of morality and to claim that women, just like men, can be sages. She also argued that it isn't just what you do that matters morally—it's also how you decide. So what does it mean to be a sage and how does someone become one? How did Im Yunjidang use traditional Confucian texts to argue for women's spiritual equality? And what did she think was important when it comes to making difficult moral choices? Josh and Ray explore her life and thought with Hwa Yeong Wang from Duke Kunshan University, editor of "Korean Women Philosophers and the Ideal of a Female Sage: The Essential of Writings of Im Yungjidang and Gang Jeongildang."

People in this episode

Hosts: Josh, Ray

Guest: Hwa Yeong Wang

Topics covered

  • women's equality
  • Confucian philosophy
  • moral decision-making
  • sagehood
  • Korean philosophy

Keywords

  • Im Yunjidang
  • women's equality
  • Confucianism
  • moral choices
  • sagehood
  • Korean philosophy

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Duke Kunshan University

Books & works: Korean Women Philosophers and the Ideal of a Female Sage: The Essential of Writings of Im Yungjidang and Gang Jeongildang

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