栗谷과 重峰의 道學精神

Abstract

Learning of the Way means either Confucianism or neo-Confucianism. In specific, Yulgok made the most detailed explanation about definition, features, and system of it. According to his claim, Learning of the Way is a self-cultivation and also a social participation. For example, Learning of the Way is to be faithful for self-discipline and, furthermore, to serve the nation and people. In this light, Yulgok valued Jeongam Gwangjo Jo as a founder of Learning of the Way. On the one hand, Jungbong Heon Jo was evaluated as an exemplary Confucian scholar due to his defending justice as he raised an army in the cause of loyalty and was killed in Japanese Invasion of Korea courageously in 1592. While Learning of the Way is based on loyalty, in the case of Jungbong he inherited the philosophy of the Realist School of Confucianism. Some scholars of the Realist School of Confucianism valued Jungbong’s philosophy high. For example, Jega Park, a scholar of Realist School of Confucianism who was focused on the Bukhak School, had a great regard for Jungbong’s idea of innovation, openness, and practice. Thus, Park evaluated Jungbong as a pioneer of the Realist School of Confucianism. In addition, Hyeongwon Yu, another scholar of the Realist School of Confucianism, made a frequent quotation from and referred to Jungbong’s writings while he was writing 『Ban Gye Su Rok』. As was shown from the previous supporting examples, true philosophy of Learning of the Way can be said to be more fully complete when it includes not only the loyalty but also the idea of the Realist School of Confucianism. As such, on the perspective of Yulgok’s idea of Learning of the Way, this study emphasizes Jungbong’s idea of Learning of the Way should not neglect the idea of the Realist School of Confucianism though it was based on loyalty.