퇴계 이황의 역사의식과 경세사상 및 그 구현에 관한 고찰

Abstract

Toegye Yi Hwang judged that the 16th century of Joseon was not a time for reform, but a time for the stability of the country. Why did Toegye decide that what Joseon needed in the 16th century was stability, not reform? The reason is that Toegye accepted the historical consciousness of Joseon Neo-Confucian scholars in the 16th century and lived his life as a Neo-Confucian scholar. In order not to repeat Cho Gwang-jo's failure, Toegye wanted to complete his studies and discipline first, and then gradually pursue social changes. The policy which gradually changes society through learning and discipline is an attempt to establish the foundation of politics by looking at morality and politics as one, and it started with the Neo-Confucian discussion of the 16th century called "establishment of the status of Li." The driving force behind the right politics is that politicians are willing to perceive good within them and practice it. Accordingly, Toegye emphasized the establishment of Li as the principle of social integration and operation and the identification of Li through cultivation centered on Gyeong. Toegye implemented policies for the stability of the in three directions based on these perceptions of the eras and moral politics. The first policy is for the monarch to complete his morality through learning and discipline. Toegye emphasized that if kings are not moral, everything in the country will fail, so what is more important to stabilize the nation is to make the king's mind right. The second policy is to foster and stabilize scholars. It was intended to correct the mistakes of kings and stabilize the nation by encouraging scholars to participate in politics morally. Toegye established the Seowon and educated his disciples to contribute greatly to Joseon's politics and learning until the late Joseon Dynasty. Toegye also taught his disciples not to participate in politics when learning and personality were not completed. The third policy is to love the people and stabilize the local community. Toegye did not implement policies that were burdensome to the people, but created self-governing norms so that the people could voluntarily keep their manners and live for their families and hometowns. Academics regard Toegye Lee Hwang as a scholar far from politics, but in fact Toegye actively participated in politics according to his method.