율곡 철학의 근대성과 탈근대성 - 지각론과 수양론을 중심으로

Abstract

This paper examines the elements of modernity contained in Yulgok Yi I (1536-1584)’s philosophy, and also researches what are the post-modern characteristics that contrast with modernity. While Yi I criticized Yi Hwang’s theory of li-gi mutual issuance (理氣互發說), he raised the gi-issuance-only theory (氣發理乘一途說) forming a new theory of Human-Mind and Moral-Mind (人心道心論). His gi-issuance-only theory can be said to be gi-centered position (主氣) in that it has naturalistic, empirical, material-oriented, and psychological inclination. It can be explained as the ethical perspective of objectivism and consequentialism in that Human-Mind and Moral-Mind cannot be distinguished by subjective perceptual contents in consciousness but determined by whether the results of emotions are consistent with external norms. The gi-issuance-only theory and the theory of Human-Mind and Moral-Mind of Yulgok philosophy can be said to form the two axes of modernity along with the li-centered (主理) epistemological position. The post-modern characteristics of Yulgok philosophy is found in the self-cultivation theory, especially his view on temperament change (氣質變化), which is explained from the perspective of naturalism in which matter-energy penetrates human beings, heaven-and-earth and myriad-things. The implication of his self-cultivation theory is as follows: Social leaders need to make efforts to raise moral practice to the level of sages by enhancing cognitive functions and learning, while general public can gradually improve not only their job ability but also their major character virtues.