The Philosophy and Psychology Research Group seeks to examine the concept of reconciliation at its most fundamental level. Moving beyond analyses confined to diplomatic or institutional domains, the group approaches issues of collective memory and values, which have often remained outside the scope of conventional studies of interstate relations, through philosophical and psychological methods. By addressing foundational questions such as what reconciliation is, why reconciliation is necessary, and in what sense reconciliation itself should be critically examined, the group aims to reconceptualize reconciliation not as a mere political compromise or institutional agreement, but as a multilayered process involving transformations in human inner life and relationships. In particular, drawing on the psychological framework of Open Dialogue, the group investigates the processes through which individuals and communities come to engage in and experience reconciliation.
Based on these research concerns, the group is currently preparing an edited volume within the International Reconciliation Studies Book Series that conceptualizes reconciliation as a complex and multidimensional phenomenon. The volume presents an analytical framework that approaches reconciliation through six interrelated dimensions: reconciliation with oneself, reconciliation with others, reconciliation with one’s own group, reconciliation with other groups, reconciliation with nature, and reconciliation with a transcendent being. By articulating these dimensions, the volume offers a comprehensive model that moves beyond state-centered or policy-driven approaches to reconciliation. It further fosters interdisciplinary dialogue among scholars from philosophy, psychology, history, anthropology, political science, sociology, and religious studies, linking theoretical inquiry with concrete case-based analyses.
By repositioning reconciliation not merely as an outcome or technique but as an ongoing process of ethical, social, and existential transformation, the volume aims to provide new theoretical insights and normative perspectives for understanding and addressing contemporary conflicts.
