Christianity, the Sovereign Subject, and Ethnic Nationalism in Colonial Korea: Specters of Western Metaphysics

This book explores the impact of Christianity on Korean national identity, the concept of the sovereign subject, and ethnic nationalism in Colonial Korea. It takes a meta-historical approach and engages with the ethical consequences of ethnic nationalism, drawing on the thought of Jacques Derrida to offer an innovative intellectual history of the colonial period.

Format: Hardback
Length: 126 pages
Publication date: 12 August 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

One of the pioneering philosophical approaches to the study of Koreas ethnic nationalism, Christianity, the Sovereign Subject, and Ethnic Nationalism in Colonial Korea delves into the profound influence of Christianity on the formation of Korean national identity, tracing the metaphysical roots of the concept of the sovereign subject. This comprehensive monograph adopts a meta-historical perspective and critically engages with the ethical dilemmas of Korean historiography in the context of narrating colonialism and the postcolonial period. Drawing upon the rich insights of Jacques Derridas philosophy of deconstruction and his framework of hauntology, this monograph uncovers the ethical implications of ethnic nationalism, exploring how Western metaphysics has haunted the imaginations of freedom in colonial Korea. While most studies of modern Korean nationalism and (post)colonialism have approached the topic from cultural, literary, or social scientific angles, this book stands out by employing Derridas intellectual approach to offer a novel and innovative intellectual history of Koreas colonial era. By deconstructing the metaphysical claims of turn-of-the-century Protestant missionaries and early modern Korean intellectuals, the book showcases the relevance of Derridas philosophical method in the study of modern Korean history. This book is a must-read for scholars interested in Derrida, historiography, and Korean history, as it provides a deep and thought-provoking exploration of these complex and interconnected subjects.

Weight: 410g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367775483