천학에 대한 조선 후기 지식인의 대응 양상

Abstract

The article examines the intellectual’s response to heavenly learning in the late Joseon Dynasty. Joseon began to spread the so-called “western learning” in earnest about the 18th century. Western learning, which was introduced with the ancient history of Qing dynasty, was mainly named heavenly learning in Joseon. The tradition of Catholic, aimed at the transfer of astronomy and religious beliefs that represent natural science, exerted influence in a wide range of characters and fields, ranging from intellectuals to ordinary people in the late Joseon Dynasty. Heavenly learning, which was introduced to Joseon through the excellence of natural science, received attention from intellectuals, and Catholic, who appeared without it on his back, started with academic interest at first, but gradually developed into a faith. A case in point emerged from the family of Sung-ho School. Sung-ho took an open attitude toward astrology and was also transferred to his juniors. However, according to the circumstances at home and abroad, natural science will be positive, but Catholic will suffer a turbulent period in which it will be denied. However, the positive nature of natural science and the denial of Catholic do not persist. That was because the political situation at home has become unfriendly to Catholic. In addition, the precedent question also ignites a rapidly changing situation. Thus, even natural science has been dismissed as a quirky feat, and Catholic itself has been defined as depraved doctrines. In this situation, the ancient concept of Sangdi was called, resulting in a scholarly climate in which he re-regulated Lixue or criticized the indictment of Lixue. This self-reflection of Lixue leads to the creation of new learning based on a new world understanding. That is the dynamic that emerged in response to the study, and that is the mechanics that emerged with the logic of Western science and reasoning. This does not mean that the entire study of the late Joseon Dynasty will be replaced by novelty. That was because the mainstream was Lixue. Nevertheless, a new academic background appears because the living world of the late Joseon Dynasty was not stable and unstable. It was the beginning of what a philosopher called the “spirit of the times.”