율곡의 공부론 체계 管見 - “誠意”를 기반으로, “矯氣質”까지

Abstract

Yulgok's system of cultivation theory is centered on traditional major concepts and propositions. Keeping reverence[居敬] and investigation of principle[窮理] are both wings. Reverence for the Principle of Heaven and eradication of human desire is the basic content. His system is very coherent, starting with the theory of rigi[理氣] and simseong[心性]. The mysterious relation of ri and gi only admit the issuance of gi followed by ri’s riding on gi. So the seongri[性理] is only expressed by the action of simgi[心氣]. Therefore, all cultivation should be conducted from the side of simgi. Its foundation is "sincerity of intention", which carries out logical thinking truthfully and without vagueness. According to this foundation, “keeping reverence” and “investigation of principle” are explained, furthermore, continuous moral practice is possible through the rectifying of disposition[矯氣質] by removing the peculiar desire. Although such a system is difficult to explain the direct driving force of moral practice, it makes practical moral practice possible by accurately understanding the context of the specific reality and selecting the appropriate principle. In addition, the elimination of peculiar desires secures clear rational activities and guarantees the purity of moral practice. Yulgok's theory of cultivation makes it possible to perform concrete moral practice in reality much more powerfully.