소론계(少論系) 학인 간 격물(格物) 논변의 배경과 향방

Abstract

This study outlines the thought historical background and development of Gyeokmul格物(Investigation of things) discussions that occurred intensively among the scholars of Soron少論(Disciple’s Faction) around 1690. Through this process, I will check the causes of their discussions earlier than the other faction, and examine the academic attitudes of Soron scholars revealed in each discussions and their thought historical significance. The background that scholars in Soron Faction were able to actively discuss Gyeokmul can be attributed to the fact that the discussions on Mulgyeok物格 that had been controversial in the previous academia ended relatively quickly between them. The point of view they share on Mulgyeok is a critique of Toegye Yi Hwang’s view on Li理 based on the doctrine of Yulgok Yi Yi. This agreement had already been concluded before the the division of the Westerners(Seoin西人) into the Noron老論(Patriarch’s Faction) and the Soron. For this reason, their discussions of Gyeokmul, which had not been relatively controversial in the past, was able to proceed ahead of the other faction, the Southerners(Namin南人). Discussions for Gyeokmul by Soron scholars are largely divided into the discussion of self-theory based on the analysis of literal meaning and the discussion related to understanding Gyeomul outside the scope of the learning of Zhu Xi. Discussions on the meaning of letters is mainly related to the interpretation of the Chinese character 'Gyeok格', and the discussion related to the anti-Zhu Xi learning includes the argument surrounding the learning of Wang Yangming. Soron scholars began to thoroughly analyze Gyeokmul itself, which had not been accepted without any objection by the senior scholars in the name of following the interpretation of the Zhu Xi. In addition, various methodologies were used in the argumentation process, and accordingly, they showed the possibility of forming an unique Geukmul theory of Korean Neo-Confucianism.