(End of the month Kim Eo-jun) Philosophy Professor Park Gu-yong - Lee Jae-myung, the Spirit of the Times and the Philosophy of Politics

Changes in Modern Politics

Modern politics no longer operates solely on ideologies or grand discourses. As the pace of change accelerates and the complexity of society deepens, the practical function of politics is increasingly converging on 'problem-solving ability.' So, what are the criteria for political leadership demanded by this era, and on what basis should political philosophy be evaluated? To answer this question, we must first examine the concept of 'zeitgeist.' The zeitgeist is not merely a trend but represents the collective direction of thought that pervades an era and the sum of social desires.

Philosophical Origins of the Spirit of the Times

The concept of 'zeitgeist' acquired its philosophical meaning from the German philosopher Hegel. In ancient and medieval times, the spirit was synonymous with the realm of the divine, and it was universally and eternally so. The very thought that different spirits could exist in different eras was not permitted. However, Hegel connected the flow of human history with the spirit, positing that each era has its own unique nature and structure of thought. He defined the zeitgeist as 'the conceptual capture of an era in the name of thought.' The time in which Hegel lived was characterized by a fracture in religion, politics, and social ideals. He referred to this as an 'age of division.' In a reality where different values and worldviews coexist and clash, Hegel believed that the task of philosophy was to understand that division and seek the possibility of reconciliation. The process of struggle and love that he described is not merely a philosophical concept, but also the foundation of political practice.

Changing Zeitgeist and Modern Society

The spirit of the age that Hegel envisioned was one that traversed decades or even centuries. However, modern society is an era where news trends change multiple times a day. An article posted on a portal site in the morning disappears by evening, and even the discourse of the day is hardly remembered. In other words, the spirit of the age is changing like a highly volatile meme. Nevertheless, within this fast-paced environment, there exists a deep current that flows steadily, one that can set a direction. It revolves around the constant questions of what it means to live as a human and what constitutes a fair and just society. To address this, we need to demand practical leadership that can diagnose and resolve structural problems, rather than politicians swayed by short-term emotions.

Political Application of Pragmatism

Pragmatism is a philosophical movement that emerged in the United States in the late 19th century. Scholars such as Charles Sanders Peirce, William James, and John Dewey believed that the metaphysics-centered philosophy of Europe had limitations in explaining the realities of America. Pragmatism positioned "problem-solving" at the center of philosophy. The criterion for judgment became whether something is practically useful and effective, rather than merely the completeness of a theory. However, pragmatism splits into two branches. The first is theoretical pragmatism, which views utility as the sole value and disregards all other ethics or principles. This poses a risk of justifying dictatorship or unethical politics. The second is practical pragmatism, which embodies a flexible attitude of adjusting and applying various values according to the situation. It is pragmatism that exhibits flexibility within principles, rather than principle-less practicality. Lee Jae-myung appears to be a politician embodying this practical pragmatism. He focuses on solving real issues rather than ideological slogans and derives policies from his life experiences. For example, the 3 million won unsecured loan policy was aimed at addressing the issues faced by the financially marginalized that he witnessed in daily life. This is not merely a welfare policy but a political act that restores an individual's dignity, demonstrating the power of pragmatism when combined with ethics.

The Philosophy of Justice - John Rawls' Criteria

If pragmatism focuses on "how to solve problems," then theories of justice establish standards for "what is right." John Rawls presented the concept of the "veil of ignorance" in his book "A Theory of Justice" to outline criteria for justice. He argued that if people design social institutions without knowing their social status, gender, or economic position, they would choose the fairest principles. He proposed two principles of justice: the first is the principle of equal liberty, and the second is the principle of difference. The principle of difference states that social and economic inequalities are acceptable only if they benefit the least advantaged members of society to the greatest extent. In other words, a just society is one that considers the vulnerable and provides them with real opportunities. This principle is not merely a concept of welfare it is an ethical direction that politics should pursue. The philosophy of "eokgangbuyak" (restraining the strong and assisting the weak), emphasized by Lee Jae-myung, can be seen as a political application of this Rawlsian concept of justice.

The Core of Leadership – Practice and Embodied Experience

Politics cannot be established solely through knowledge. For political language to be effective, it must come from practical experience and be accompanied by embodied ethics. In the case of Yoon Suk-yeol, there is much talk, but it is unclear where that talk originates or what experiences it is rooted in. In contrast, Lee Jae-myung’s language stems from his life, and his policies are directly derived from everyday experiences. Furthermore, Lee Jae-myung does not target the weak he shares a common identity as 'us' with the ordinary people. His policies are not paternalistic or sympathetic they are political choices based on dignity and trust. He perceives power not as something to be 'used' but as a 'delegated tool.' This identity is key to understanding how he comprehends political power.

Interregnum of the Spirit of the Times

Today, we stand between the end of one era and the beginning of the next. Since the 2008 financial crisis, neoliberalism has met its end globally. However, in the present, where no clear alternative is proposed, we find ourselves in what the political philosopher Antonio Gramsci described as an 'interregnum'—a state of absence of a guiding spirit of the age. During such a vacuum, there is a high risk of the politics of hatred, anger, and revenge emerging. The rise of Trump has illustrated this clearly. In Korea, the figure of Yoon Seok-yeol also uses anger and revenge as political motivation. Yet, in a politics fueled by such emotions, blossoms will not flourish. As the saying goes, 'flowers do not bloom in the fields of hatred' we must plow that land and plant new seeds.

Conclusion - At the Intersection of Definition and Practicality

South Korea is currently facing an enormous opportunity for transformation. Amidst a global economic crisis, we are playing a leading role in culture, technology, politics, and the defense industry. It is now the time to become not just a prosperous country, but a standard nation that the world pays attention to and can look up to. The leader we need for this is a pragmatic realist, someone who can also embody the principles of justice as described by John Rawls into political action. A leader who understands the spirit of the times and can connect it to daily life and policies. This writing seeks to present Lee Jae-myung as a condition of such leadership. Politics should not be evaluated solely by results. It is an endeavor that requires the combination of ethical processes and philosophical direction. And right now, we stand at that crossroads. The choice is now in our hands.