영남지역 퇴계학파의 율곡학에 대한 두 시선

Abstract

This study discusses how the Yeongnam Toegye School recognized and responded to the critical glance sent by Yulgok to Toegye from two perspectives, exclusion and inclusion. First, from the aspects of exclusion, this author examines Lee Hyun-il’s fury and exclusive view about the Yulgok School as he regarded the Toegye School to be superior. This is because he considered the criticism of the Yulgok school as a threat to the academic and political status of the Toegye School. Next, although Lee Sang-jeong, too, criticized the Yulgok School placing the Toegye School above that, he maintained rather an objective view and responded to the Yulgok School from the perspective of difference, not discrimination. Meanwhile, in the aspects of inclusion, both Jang Hyun-kwang and Jeong Gyeong-se tried to approach the Toegye and Yulgok School rather fairly, from which we can find out about their standpoint to acknowledge the positions of both. The two scholars both still thought the Toegye School superior; however, Jang Hyun-kwang maintained a balanced view even to deny Toegye’s Hobal-seol and Jeong Gyeong-se paid respect to the opponents. From this, we can see that they showed matureness in reaction to it while respecting and accepting the opponents grounded on their own strong view of truth rather than blinded protection or criticism. Since all of them were affiliated to the Toegye School, it is undeniable that they put more emphasis on Toegye’s position. Also, we cannot overlook the fact that most of the scholars of the Toegye School in Yeongnam were in conflict with the Yulgok School through anger and exclusion. However, this method of exclusion and inclusion used by the Toegye School for reaction does greatly contribute to recognizing and establishing the identity of the Toegye School. In this way, the aspects of conflict bring anger and pain, but mutual criticism and checks rather allowed the theories of the Toegye School to be organized and diversified more logically and led to variations in ideas.