Phenomenology of Korean Cheong (情) and Islamic Qalb: Philosophical Analysis of Affective-Cognitive Integration in Religious Experience
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Abstract
This research explores the phenomenology of the concepts of Cheong (정/情) in Korean philosophical tradition and Qalb (قلب) in Islamic thought as a model of affective-cognitive integration in religious experience. This study aims to analyze the epistemological similarities and differences of the two concepts through Merleau-Ponty's existential phenomenology approach, which is focused on the dimension of embodied consciousness, as well as Gadamer's philosophical hermeneutics to understand the interpretive aspects of religious experience. This research utilizes an interpretative qualitative approach with a philosophical phenomenology research design, involving a systematic literature review of primary and secondary sources. The results show that Cheong, which originates from the Korean Confucian tradition, emphasizes the harmonious relationship between the individual, nature and the transcendental dimension through affective and cognitive integration. In contrast, the Qalb in the Islamic tradition is understood as a spiritual center of consciousness that encompasses both the intuitive and intellectual dimensions, focusing on the transformation and cleansing of the self towards closeness to God. The study concludes that both concepts offer an alternative paradigm to transcend Cartesian dualism, by highlighting the importance of the integration of affective, cognitive and spiritual aspects in religious experience. This research makes a significant contribution to cross-cultural dialogue and across philosophical traditions in understanding a more holistic structure of human consciousness.
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