A multi-year study of stone monuments in the historic Kaesong region has concluded with the identification of several key philosophical treatises. These 12th-century inscriptions explore the concept of 'Cheon-In-Hap-Il', a theory suggesting that the human mind is a microcosm that reflects the broader celestial patterns of the universe. The texts urge scholars to 'rectify the heart' to achieve a state of resonance with the heavenly path.
The research suggests that these early Goryeo-era thinkers developed a distinctive ethical monism that preceded the more rigid Neo-Confucian doctrines of the later Joseon period. This discovery redefines the history of Korean thought, highlighting an era of profound intellectual fluidity and spiritual inquiry.