A Critical Commentary on the Characteristics of the Neo-Confucian Cultivation Theory in Dabu Written by Hanjae

The paper “Characteristics of the Neo-Confucian Cultivation Theory in Dabu Written by Hanjae” (Ji-Hyun Kim, Song-Hyun Choi, Pyong-In Yi), published in Korean Tea Society Journal Vol. 30, No. 3 (2024), presents several problems. These include misquotations and sophistry, arbitrary deductions about Neo-Confucianism, speculative and unclear arguments, and logical leaps and inconsistencies. If errors are made in quoting or in the theoretical framework, which is the core structure of the paper would hardly contribute to academic progress. Moreover, any damage caused by misquoting others and the resulting academic misunderstanding must also be considered. This paper critically examines the misquotations identified in the original text and highlights instances of strained reasoning, which together reveal the authors’ limited understanding of Neo-Confucian theory. It is hoped that this counterargument and the accompanying comments on “Characteristics of the Neo-Confucian Cultivation Theory in Dabu” will serve as material for reflection for the authors and as a useful reference for younger scholars developing their academic writing.