葛庵 李玄逸의 性理說

Abstract

After the death of Toegye(退溪) Yi Hwang(李滉:1501-1570), Yulgok(栗谷) Yi yi(李珥:1536-1584) criticized the thesis of Toegye concerning the Four-Seven(四端七情) problem, so to speak, the Mutual-Issue theory(互發說). Especially his criticism concentrated on the construed claim of li(理)-movement in the mutual-issue theory. It could be a result of misunderstanding, but it is accompanied by School-dividing, so it is unavoidable for the descendents of Toegye to response to this criticism. The Neo-Confucian theory of Galam(葛庵) Yi Hyunil(李玄逸:1627-1704) is one of the most serious and important response to this criticism. He suggested two ways of explanation for li(理) and qi(氣), Seperating explanation(分別說) and Combining explanation(渾淪說). From the standpoint of Seperating explanation, he says, we can explain about li(理) more positively, so that li can be explained and described in itself without any consideration of qi and the Four Beginnings(四端) can be explained exclusively by the issue of li. In this way he advocated the Mutual-Issue theory of Toegye and more apparently and systematically constructed li-xue(理學).