류성룡의 실학사상과 그 실천에 관한 연구

Abstract

Ryu Seong-ryong, one of the most renowned premiers in the Chosun Dynasty, empirically developed the real-world policy of action. Toward the end of the 16th century, the world had already witnessed the emergence of the modern mercantile state. Based on Confucianism, Ryu Seong-ryong tried not only to study with a convergent model but also to take a consilience approach with an intense curiosity of other relevant fields of learning. This point shows most clearly in Ryu Sung-ryong’s attempt to complete his own philosophical theory of realism which emphasizes self-guided learning for practicability. His philosophy is based on the Neo-Confucian theory. In specific terms, this article inquires into practical elements and episodes found in the Jingbirok with a view to identifying the roots of traditional Neo-Confucian values in the existing studies on Silhak. This article will show that Ryus practical political theory rooted in traditional Confucianism informed his practical policies in the real world. In this light, the Jingbirok can be considered a field report on the actual political settings he had experienced during the Imjin War. Ryu was devoted to re-making the national system as well as the government system in a highly innovative way during the crisis of the Imjin War. Ryu clearly understood that the economy is a flow, a circulation, and a system. In addition, he had an accurate understanding of the operation of market mechanisms including the cross-border trade. He implemented policy measures to make this work. In addition, by enacting the law of manumission from slavery (myoncheonbeop, 免賤法); according to this law, slaves could elevate their status as commoners, and were even granted opportunities to enter public office. Although such policies were abolished toward the end of the war, Ryu’s innovative attempt at’ institutional reforms presaged an early phase of the “national state”.