• Proceedings of the KGS Conference
• /
• 2004.11a
• /
• pp.55-55
• /
• 2004

• The Journal of Korean Philosophical History
• /
• no.42
• /
• pp.9-37
• /
• 2014

This article is to review academic aspects of Iljae Lee Hang through Toegye Lee Hwang's comments. Iljae Lee Hang (一齋 李恒: 1499~1576) is a representative Neo-Confucian scholar in Honam area in 16th century. His Sung Confucianism was known to Toegye Lee Hwang by Gobong Gi Dae Seung and consequentially received attention from academic world. Lee Hang's Sung Confucianism, however, has hardly drawn attention since 17th century due to Lee Hwang's negative assessment. Impeaching Lee Hang's academic attitude and methods, Lee Hwang evaluated him as having many problems. Lee Hwang criticized that Lee Hang studied Neo-Confucianism with no great effort and he was so much confident to say 'Logic of the world does not deviate from this' based on Chengzi and Zhuzi's saying which was only appealing to his ideas. Lee Hang actually cited theories of Chengzi and Zhuzi and stressed self-complacency when necessary, which therefore made him fail to exhibit consistency. Iljae partly brought Lee Hwang's criticism upon himself. Lee Hwang's negative assessment is not to be literally accepted but his assessment is helpful indeed to critically examine Lee Hang's Neo-Confucianism.

• (The)Study of the Eastern Classic
• /
• no.54
• /
• pp.45-76
• /
• 2014

The purpose of this paper is to examine Toegye(退溪 李滉, 1501~1570)'s interpretation of Chungyong(中庸) who led the completion of the $Chos{\breve{o}}n$-style acceptance of Neo-Confucianism. This paper is focused on revealing the way that how he understood it according to the system of Neo-Confucianism that was proposed by Chu Hsi, rather than revealing the unique perspective of Toegye. I have the following configuration in this paper. First, I have set two directions of research for understanding of Chungyong, these were derived through the work that is an overview of cases of interpretation of Chungyong of $Chos{\breve{o}}n$. 1) How to understand the overall structure of Chungyong? 2) How to understand key concepts of Chungyong? Next, basing on these directions of research, I analyzed Toegye's interpretation of Chungyong. To grasp the structure of the whole, Toegye followed the segmentation system and structure of Chungyong changgu: Commentary on the Doctrine of the Mean, and to understand key concepts of Chungyong, he conducted in collaboration with concepts of Neo-Confucianism. Concretely, I analyze his work : Chungyong $suk{\breve{u}}i$(中庸釋義) and Chungyong $jil{\breve{u}}i$(中庸質疑) for asserting that he accepted the segmentation system and structure of Chungyong changgu. And I analyze his documents: letters to and from his disciples. This analysis focus on concepts of Chungyong for asserting that his understanding is in the context of Chu Hsi and other Neo-Confucian scholars's commentary. Toegye tried to reduce the diversity of interpretation and present one meaning.

• The Journal of Korean Philosophical History
• /
• no.52
• /
• pp.107-130
• /
• 2017

The purpose of this study is to catch the characteristics of the Hanju Yi Jinsang (寒洲 李震相, 1818~1886)'s thought of the 'Li(理)' through Hanju's view on the Ido-seol(理到說), the Toegye Yi Hwang(退溪 李滉, 1501~1570)'s latter Mulgyuk(物格) theory, and to establish the foundation for identifying the aspects of development about Toegye School's concept of Li from Toegye's Ido-seol. The Ido-seol was criticized for regarding Li - the immovable principle - as 'living thing'. Toegye School's scholars tried to solve this problem by translating the 'word' correctly. Hanju also translated the word 'Do(到)', the verb of 'Ido', as meaning of 'perfectly understood' based on his translation of the word 'Gyuk(格)' as 'Ku(究)'. On the other hand, he also regarded the principle-application structure of Li and the its characteristic the 'Li as Hwalmul(活物)' as the main point of Toegye's Neo-confucianism thought his methodology 'Three viewpoints[三看法]'. Before Hanju, scholars dose not have more opinion from the translation of the word, and it is too difficult to identifying their scholarly identity through their viewpoints on Ido-seol. On the other hand, Hanju thought that the lack of the idea for comprehensive approach between Xin(心) and Li(理) will cause the misunderstanding the relationship between Xin and Li. In this reason, he evaluated Toegye's Ido-seol based on the concept of 'One principle and its manifoldness[理一分殊]'. Consequently, he concatenated the characteristic of Xin which includes all things with concept of Mulgyuk, and emphasized that Xin which penetrates the principle of all things has the characteristic of 'One principle(理一)'.

• (The)Study of the Eastern Classic
• /
• no.54
• /
• pp.253-288
• /
• 2014

A pen name Chuman(秋巒; a mountain of Fall), Jeong Ji-wun(1509-1561) is a famous person wrote "Cheonmyeong-Doseol" which made two men, Yi Hwang and Ki Dae-$s{\breve{u}}ng$ dispute Sachil-Nobyeon(traditional argument about heart/mind). But except this point, few people of nowadays know who Jeong Ji-wun was. Therefore this paper is made for understanding Jeong Ji-wun in the point of view in history of thought. "Cheonmyeong-Doseol" by Jeong Ji-wun had systemized traditional theory of Cheonil-Habil(sky and human are an organic body), through this theory, Jeong Ji-wun had taken an important role who developed the Neo-Confucian theory in the field of political thought at that time. All Neo-Confucian literati used the theory of heart/mind as a sole useful method in political field from after King Myeonjong and Seonjo. "Cheonmyeong-Doseol" by Jeong Ji-wun was a first step to this scene. Especially "Cheonmyeong-Doseol" was got famous by arguments of Yi Hwang and Ki $Dae-s{\breve{u}}ng$, great scholars in the history of Chosun Dynasty. They firstly developed Sachil-Nobyeon, Sandan(pure morality) comes from li, Chiljeong(emotions) comes from Ch'i, is it right or not? This argument with "Cheonmyeong-Doseol" raised up the level of Neo-Confucian theory at that time. Like this, "Cheonmyeong-Doseol" was on the first step for Neo-Confucian literati to study and develop their theory of political thought which covered politics in Chosun Dynasty.

• (The)Study of the Eastern Classic
• /
• no.41
• /
• pp.61-90
• /
• 2010

In this paper, I focused on analyzing Yeoheon Chang Hyeon-gwang's literary theory and his prose in the genealogy of Confucian scholars in Chosun. Through this study, I would like to examine the trend of concentrating on 16th century when we treat the literary tendency of Confucian scholars. With this goal, I tried to seek the direction which was pursued by Confucian scholars who lived during the 17th century. Yeoheon tried to construct the spirit of humanities cosmically as an aim of his life, study, and literature. And he had a new understanding of human independence by suffering from Japanese invasion in the late of 16th century. He insisted that only human can realize the spirit of humanities on a cosmic base. He also thought that the morality(道) could be settled only by literature(文). We may interpret this concept as a progressive idea about literature comparing to the former Confucian scholars. On the other hands, Yeoheon tried to accept the literary theory of former scholars such like Park Young, Cho Sik, and Seong Woon who embraced Taoism. Yet he erased the color of Taoism in the field of topic, and he also tried to keep his distance from them in the field of literary form. This concept actually came from Lee Hwang's opinion, while Yeoheon tried to rouse scholar's independence. Through above, we may realize that the Confucian scholars of 17th century were not just imitators of 16th century. They tried to examine the former study and also tried to renew the theory.

• (The)Study of the Eastern Classic
• /
• no.35
• /
• pp.7-33
• /
• 2009

Oh Su-yeong (1521-1606) would be called 'Gyeomjung' with the pen name of 'Chundang' and 'Doam.' Since he was so good at calligraphy, he would also be one of the 'Seonseong Sampil (three great writers)' along with Geum Bo and Lee Suk-ryang. He wrote "Chundang Collection." So far, a study on him and his writing has been hardly conducted. This paper has investigated his life and companionship in order to restore his legacy that has disappeared in the history of Korean literature. This paper has briefly summarized his life and family line and examined his friendship with the students of Toegye Yi Hwang. In fact, most of his friends were the disciples of the great philosopher and Confucian scholar, which proves what he pursued throughout his life. In his poetry, many poems regarding moral standard in friendship are often found. A true humanity can be felt in them. In his sensitive poems on natural creatures can be sensed his wit and humor. After going through the vortex of war, he vividly described the reality of tragic war through his poems as well. A further study needs to be conducted on his poetry.

• The Journal of Korean Philosophical History
• /
• no.54
• /
• pp.9-42
• /
• 2017

It is as necessary as ever to make constant efforts to overcome the regional strife between the eastern and western parts of Korea and come to a mutual understanding. To achieve this, we must endeavor to correct Korean people's distorted understanding of the history of Korean philosophical thoughts. Ordinary Koreans commonly and mistakenly associate the academic circles of Korean Neo-Confucianism with certain regions by which to divide them into Giho School and Yongnam School and then go as far as associating the schools and parties and pegging them 'Namin'(南人) to refer to as the followers of Yongnam School and 'Seoin'(西人) as the followers of Giho School. Such false notions must be corrected. During the reign of King Seonjo, political factions of Joseon were split into Yongnam and Giho, or East and West. At the time, the two cardinal directions East and West were only used to refer to the eastern and western parts of Seoul, and not Yeongnam(East) and Giho(West) of the Korean Peninsula. Therefore, the factional split at the time has nothing to do with regional cleavages. In fact, a majority of scholars representing Korean Neo-Confucianism maintained a friendly relationship regardless of the school, party, and region. Many leading scholars in the middle of the Joseon Dynasty namely Jo Sik(曺植)/Seong Woon(成運), Lee Hwang(李滉)/Ki DeaSeung(奇大升), Lee Hwang(李滉)/Lee Yi(李珥), Noh Susin (盧守愼)/Lee Yi, the ones in the late Joseon Dynasty -Jeong Gyeong Se(鄭經 世)/Kim Jang-Saeng(金長生), Jeong Gyeong Se(鄭經世)/Song Joon Gil(宋浚吉), and also those at the end of the Joseon Dynasty such as Kwak JongSeok(郭鍾錫) and Kim BokHan(金福漢) deeply respected each other and had a close friendship rooted in their academic commitment. The friendship between the leaders of Giho and Yongnam is a testimony to the high level of their character, academic achievement, and intellect. More than ever, such intangible intellectual and cultural resources drawn from Korean tradition must be utilized to the fullest. From this point on, we need to further promote the friendship and mutual understanding the scholars of Yongnam(Gyeongsang-do), Gyeonggi, Honam (Jeolla-do), and Hoseo(Chungcheong-do) enjoyed, and use them as a cognitive basis for harmony between the eastern and western parts of the country. These invaluable assets can be specifically used in the promotion of exchange between the local autonomous governments of the regions where above-mentioned scholars built an amicable relationship, joint commemorative events, exchange between families of the scholars of both regions, opening of special exhibitions dedicated to the harmony between Yongnam and Giho at museums in the two regions, co-organization of local festivals, joint operation of culture programs, and relationship and exchange between the 'seowons' in both regions, through which to promote the long history of exchange between the scholars of the past and utilize it in joint projects.

• (The)Study of the Eastern Classic
• /
• no.48
• /
• pp.41-63
• /
• 2012

This research paper is aims to study the Zhu Xi school of Neo-Confucianism culture based on the Sosu seowon. Also This research paper is to discuss study and scholars correlation the Sosu seowon. The Sosu seowon is mainly made up of the Zhu Xi school of Neo-Confucianism development. The Sosu seowon was the cradle of scholars and bureaucrats. Scholars who study of orthodox Neo-Confucianism in the our country was respected academic spirit of An Whyang in the study of orthodox Neo-Confucianism. An Whyang is symbolic existence of the Sosu seowon. He knew well the importance of learning. He was the person to represent the Sosu seowon. Toegye and Sinje are handed down to the fundamental principle brought in on the orthodox Neo-Confucianism caused by An Whyang. This research paper is to based upon on academic spirit of An Whyang in the study of orthodox Neo-Confucianism. Scholars who study of orthodox Neo-Confucianism thought that the nation's happiness made appointment to a competent person learned the orthodox Neo-Confucianism caused by An Whyang related to the Humanism education.

• The Journal of Korean Philosophical History
• /
• no.50
• /
• pp.113-138
• /
• 2016

The purpose of this research is to establish the foundation for understanding the appearance of development, inheritance and acceptance of Toegye Yi Hwang(退溪李滉, 1501~1570)'s theory after his life by examining Udam Jeong Sihan(愚潭 丁時翰, 1625~1707)'s view on the Ido-seol(理到說), the Toegye's latter theory. After Toegye, Ido-seol was translated as 'The principle of matters reaches the human mind'. Galam Yi Hyunil(葛庵 李玄逸, 1627~1704), the contemporary scholar with Udam, criticized this translation for applying the directivity and motility to 'Li', the immovable principle. However, Udam agreed with the conventional interpretation of Ido-seol and understood it as the consilience of mind which got the entire principle(體) of 'Li(理)' and contained the application(用) of all things. He extended this concept as the level of 'sameness between objects and self [物我爲一]' based on his former theory, the exquisite interpretation of 'application of Li'. The meaning of 'sameness between objects and self[物我爲一]' is not amalgamation but applepie order of matter's principle in mind. The Udam's viewpoint is differ from Galam who tried to overcome the structural limit of Ido-seol by transforming 'Do(到)', the predicate of 'Ido(理到)', into 'Jin(盡)'. It means that he tried to interpret 'Ido(理到)' on the more essential aspect. His view can be the useful tool for understanding the Toegye's neo-Confucianism system with 'Li(理)' as central figure. It suggested that Udam's theory of the principle and the applecation of 'Li' can be the important theory to investigate the formation of Toegye schools' though and its development.