The impact of visual media on social cognitive concept: The case of cultural object Ru (Korea)

There have been very few studies explaining the theoretica l basis on the importance of visible cultural heritage. This study provides the philosophical background of this topic based on a phenomenological point of view andexplains the significant impact on social members’ cognition. The case of Ru, one of the traditional Korean building types, is introduced as a representative example; how its concept has been defined, changed, and forgotten in Korean culture. The importance of having a correct understanding of how cognition is composed of different types of experiences of cultural heritage is further explained. In this context, the importance of semantic mode and pictorial mode classified by Husserl is argued as the most powerful medium in human cognition based on phenomenological analysis. In this respect, the important role of Virtual Reality (VR) was highlighted. Considering the pace of recent technology and researches, breaking the barrier between experiencing the physical object and the VR may be a matter of time. Phenomenological classification of cultural heritage, which was designed for explaining all the types of cultural heritage, is introduced. The importance of developing a valid VR model and its role in cultural studies is emphasized via the phenomenological classification of cultural heritage. Finally, the balance of the inductive and deductive approach in a cultural study is suggested for more prolific and balanced achievements. Highlights:This article  provides  the  philosophical  background  of  the  importance  of visible  cultural  heritage  based  on the phenomenological point of view.Significant impact on social members’ cognition of the  visible  cultural  heritage  is  discussed  in the  case  of  the traditional Korean building.In this respect, the important role of Virtual Reality technology is highlighted.