栗谷의 理氣妙合의 세계와 인간 및 그 의미

Abstract

Yulgok's thought of the world and human beings has a coherent logic of "the subtle union of li (理) and gi (氣 ) in terms of ontology. He emphasized that both the world and human beings are created by the subtle union of li and gi because his theory is based on a philosophical premise that human beings can change voluntarily the imperfect world and themselves better by their self-cultivation. He stated that this world can be changed through the self-cultivation, and they ought to and can transform their physical substance (gijil 氣質) of their own accord in order to become a sage. In this process, the gi, whose features are to take a form and have a movement, is changeable while the li, which is formless and inactive, functions as "the standard."Yulgok' view of the world and humans was passed to Kim Jang-Saeng and one of his disciples, Song Si-Yeol. They supported Yulgok's theories of "the subtle union of li and gi" and "the transformation of physical substance(gijil 氣質)," and criticized Toegye's view of "rising together(hobal 互發)" so that they laid a stress on the voluntary and active self-cultivation. This shows that both of them were entirely influenced by Yulgok with regard to their interests and solutions, which makes them his leading successors.