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DanseurVertical
Joined: 24 Nov 2010
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 Posted: Thu Apr 18, 2013 7:14 am Post subject: free-thought group in Seoul? |
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| I grew up in the central midwestern US, and critical thinking there isn't so common. The same is true in Korea, in general. Are there free-thought / rational discussion groups in Seoul? I'm mostly just interested in meeting other people who understand how to ask, 'How do you know that is true?' Could be in respect to religious belief or anything else. |
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toby99
Joined: 28 Aug 2009
Location: Dong-Incheon-by-the-sea, South Korea
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| Posted: Thu Apr 18, 2013 12:58 pm Post subject: |
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| Among the expat community you'll find a fair number of free thinkers, especially after a few bottles of soju. If you're looking for native Koreans it might be more of an uphill battle. I'd try hanging around coffee shops in university areas. Don't know of any specific 'clubs'. |
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DanseurVertical
Joined: 24 Nov 2010
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| Posted: Thu Apr 18, 2013 4:05 pm Post subject: |
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| toby99 wrote: |
| Among the expat community you'll find a fair number of free thinkers, especially after a few bottles of soju. If you're looking for native Koreans it might be more of an uphill battle. I'd try hanging around coffee shops in university areas. Don't know of any specific 'clubs'. |
I met an Australian guy last summer who would freely approach groups of Koreans in coffee shops. And in the Gangnam area he said he generally got received well. I've had Korean (mostly girls) occasionally make conversation with me in public places, but it's still quite unusual, and if you visit a place that many Western people visit, it becomes more unusual.
And I do realize that more expats in Korea seem keen to think critically than in the midwestern US. Still, more so looking for an organization like this. In my home state, at a major university, it was not hard to find. We had to, because being non-theist was so unusual there. In Korea, too, rational skepticism is highly unusual. This shall not become a religion discussion, but even the Buddhist community here seems totally oriented on 'believing' rather than questioning. |
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Steelrails
Joined: 12 Mar 2009
Location: Earth, Solar System
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| Posted: Thu Apr 18, 2013 4:41 pm Post subject: |
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| 9 out of 10 "free-thinkers" you meet in the world are big on the critical, short on the thinking. It is rare to find them. There are a few on this board (not me, I'm an opinionated blowhard), but there are some. And there are some others who may have agendas, but nonetheless give a good post. |
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happiness
Joined: 04 Sep 2010
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| Posted: Thu Apr 18, 2013 4:48 pm Post subject: |
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The avergae Koreans life is based on duty, thats why you noticed the believing rather than questioning. We have an expression from the 60s in North America "Question Authority," even with Kpop and all, that will never seep into the public consciousness. Nowadays, esp with exposure to the outside world on a grand scale, english education, etc, we see a bit more people willing to go outside the box (I think its really good how girls are alot more open to westeners than say the 90s), but that said, questioning and free thinking is a Socratic traditional, while Korea was subservient to China and it Confucian organization of society.
Also, true curiosity and intellectualism is the mark of an individual, and locally, the individual is truly supressed. I see that as a result of the Korean :"Han" but thats never here nor there.
AFA your Aussie friend, thats a good way to be, be friendly, get friends. Be outgoing. I knew a creepy guy here, but he was outgoing and talkative, and he had tons of good friends. So, theres that.
yeah, Im a bit of a free thinker, too.  |
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Fox
Joined: 04 Mar 2009
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| Posted: Thu Apr 18, 2013 5:39 pm Post subject: Re: free-thought group in Seoul? |
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| DanseurVertical wrote: |
| I grew up in the central midwestern US, and critical thinking there isn't so common. |
How do you know that is true? |
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Lucas
Joined: 11 Sep 2012
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| Posted: Thu Apr 18, 2013 5:52 pm Post subject: |
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Steelrails
Joined: 12 Mar 2009
Location: Earth, Solar System
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| Posted: Thu Apr 18, 2013 8:18 pm Post subject: Re: free-thought group in Seoul? |
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| Fox wrote: |
| DanseurVertical wrote: |
| I grew up in the central midwestern US, and critical thinking there isn't so common. |
How do you know that is true? |
Kinda proves my point about big on the critical, short on the thinking. |
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DanseurVertical
Joined: 24 Nov 2010
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| Posted: Thu Apr 18, 2013 10:34 pm Post subject: on-topic |
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| Yo. Keep it relevant. Or the mods will trash this thread. |
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premiummince
Joined: 23 Jan 2010
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| Posted: Thu Apr 18, 2013 11:21 pm Post subject: Re: free-thought group in Seoul? |
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| Fox wrote: |
| DanseurVertical wrote: |
| I grew up in the central midwestern US, and critical thinking there isn't so common. |
How do you know that is true? |
You made me cough water all over my desk and phone, you bum! |
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DanseurVertical
Joined: 24 Nov 2010
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| Posted: Thu Apr 18, 2013 11:30 pm Post subject: |
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| Why respond to him? Seriously, keep the discussion relevant to the original post. |
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Ruthdes
Joined: 16 Oct 2008
Location: Seoul
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DanseurVertical
Joined: 24 Nov 2010
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| Posted: Fri Apr 19, 2013 12:17 am Post subject: |
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Thanks! I'll check it out. |
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