율곡의 도학과 사회개혁

Abstract

Yulgok and his school inherit authenticity of Confucianism, especially Neo-Confucianism that originated from Confucius and continued to ZhuXi. This authenticity was handed down to Poeun(圃隱), Jungam(靜庵), and finally to Yulgok. They applied the theory of ‘li’ and ‘qi’ to the theory of mind and nature, and this analogically applied to the social reform. The key point of this authenticity is Tao. It is in the practice, in accordance with the perception of ‘li’. They dream of realizing of Tao. So they emphasize change of personality and furthermore, social reform. This thesis will focus on the view of social reform on the Yulgok’s Neo-Confucianism, specifically, the view of media, Neo-Confucian intelligence,public opinion, and national policy. Such opinions have righteous form and its degenerated form. Yulgok concentrated in the correction of degenerated ideas to its original status. So, he systemized the way of correcting unrighteous ideas in the basis of theory of ‘li’ and ‘qi’. This system applies to social reform as well as changes of personality. Yulgok's way of social reform is 'geongjang'. In the system, even though what he emphasizes is perception of ‘li’, but what changes is ‘qi’. He also called it 'byuntong',based on the profundity and mysteriousness of ‘li’ and ‘qi’. This theory and system was continued by descendants of his school.