Song-Chong Lee's Ham Sok Hon's Ssial Philosophy for a Cosmopolitan Vision offers an introduction to the philosophy of Ham Sok Hon ( ), an iconic figure in the intellectual and political history of modern Korea, and a discussion of the contributions of his ssial ( /seeds, people) philosophy to cosmopolitanism. Known as Gandhi of Han'guk, Ham (1901-1989) was at the epicenter of a series of tumultuous political events in Korea and played a pioneering role in progressive social activism, including the independence movement, promotion of nationalist education, protests against military regimes, and pietistic, religious liberalism. According to Lee, Ham developed his own syncretic, authentic philosophy of ssial and applied it to his understanding and assessment of theology, history, politics, and even international relations. His syncretism culminated at his anthropology of ssial and his expanded notion of community. Lee argues that Ham's ssial philosophy, which reconstructed the citizen's identity as an active agent for political progress, led him to defy the excessively parochial nationalism, romanticized patriotism, and indoctrinated religiosity with which he believed the whole society was infatuated during the mid-twentieth century--and ultimately to advocate for a cosmopolitan community.

Life of Meaning Anthology: Introductory Readings in Religion invites students to consider an array of existential queries that also serve as core questions for conversations on world religious traditions. Readers evaluate questions of meaning, faith, and vocation through enduring religious and philosophical texts. Part I encourages readers to consider big questions of life: What is most important? What does it mean to be human? Is there more to life than meets the eye? What obligation do I have to others and to the world? Part II introduces students to the study of religion and presents religion as a source of truth-claims. In additional parts, students explore seminal texts and perspectives within the traditions of Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Taoism. The final section of the anthology addresses contemporary issues of religion, including interreligious dialogue, religion and science, the effects of internet on religion, and religion and the environment. Inviting students to consider spirituality and their understanding of the world and their place in it, Life of Meaning Anthology is ideal for introductory courses in religious studies.