최한기 氣學의 사상사적 의미와 위상

Abstract

The research paper analyzed Choi Han-gi’s science of gi on the basis of the new resources and the research accomplishments by the modern scholarship. On top of that, the autuor tries to establish the meaning and the historical status of the science of gi. When Choi Han-gi was young, he has been preoccupied with the Study of Principle(lihak, 理學) and the Western Learning(西學). Not only reinterpreting but also criticizing the differences between the two, he has taken them for the background of his science of gi. Especially, He ellaborated science of gi as a new studies equivalent to the Western Learning. In his science of gi, he has set up ‘woonwha’(運化) as a key concept. However woon(運) means ‘circulation’ wha(化) can be illustrated as ‘transformation’. Meanwhile, Choi suggested an academic theory which values communi- cation and harmony. He vindicated communication and mutual visit of each nations of the world. Moreover, by adding one more principle to the Five Ethical Tenets(五倫), he tried to enhance the harmony and communication. "All the peoples have to live in harmony(兆民有和)" The peculiarity of Choi Han-gi’s science of gi in the history of Chosŭn Dynasty political ideology is that the theory has completely changed the confucian value system that has been rooted on the heavenly principle(天理). He opened up a new era of the science of gi in the middle of 19th century by overcoming the study of principle. On the other hand, by accepthing and reinterpreting independently the Western Learning, he has set up a new theory in the field of the science of gi which gave ideological theory to the new civilization of Korea.