천곡泉谷 송상현宋象賢의 사상과『천곡수필』

Abstract

Sanghyun Song was a representative learned gentleman and patriotic martyr for the country in Japanese invasion of Joseon in 1592. His patriotism was not only handed down as a nation-wide memory or family tradition, but also had a tremendous social impact that remained constantly reminiscent of the miraculous power of extraordinary dreams and supernatural phenomena. His spirit of loyalty and righteousness is not a criticism of the unrighteous social problems, but of a self-reflective attitude focusing on the public. His neo-Confucian thought emphasizing the fundamental ideal rather than the practical effect was reflected in his anthology of topical replies called Cheongoksupil made for preparation of national examination in the mid 16th century. Unlike another anthologies of topical replies, this book focused on the neo-Confucian themes of ghost and spirit, the way of Heaven, original nature, etc. His policy is made of both appointing the proper official(知人) and promoting the people's welfare(安民). He emphasized the dignity and duty of the political leader, including the king, and proposed a system of education and talent selection based on the political system and the appropriate social reproduction platform to empower and empower the right people, rather than a specialized knowledge or concrete institutional solution.