명곡 최석정(明谷 崔錫鼎)의 격물관(格物觀)과 우주관(宇宙觀): 조선 후기 성리학에 대한 지적 도전과 그 대응

Abstract

This study analyzes the view on Gyeokmul(格物) and Woojoo universe(宇宙) of Choi Seokjeong(1646-1715). Through this analysis, the study examines the intellectual challenges faced by the Neo-Confucian scholars of the late Joseon period due to the emergence of new academic trends after the 17th century, as well as the ways in which these Neo-Confucian intellectuals responded to these challenges. Choi focused on scholarly activities related to astronomy, mathematics, and Western Learning, which were considered “challenging trends against mainstream Neo-Confucianism”. However, his ultimate goal was to secure the practicality of Neo Confucianism. In fact, his academic methodology, like that of other Neo-Confucian scholars, was based on Jeukmul Gungli(卽物窮 理), to understand all things in the world. However, he understood Gyeokmul as “inquiring into the principles of things and enabling those things to reach their full potential.” This interpretation aimed to seek a correspondence between human study and the response of the studied “objects” by adding the aspect of the “object’s response” to the traditional understanding of gewu as purely “human study.” His view of Gyeokmul aimed to transform the traditional Gyeokmul methodology, traditionally understood as recognizing human morality, into a method of understanding “things” beyond the Sino-barbarian worldview from a Neo-Confucian perspective.