湛軒 洪大容의 學問觀

Abstract

Hong, Daeyong (1731~1783) is a practical scientist who represents the Study of the North along with Park, Jiwon in Youngjo and Jeongjo period in Chosun Dynasty. His view of learning was established based on Nakron and Human Nature Theory. Therefore, he escaped from the existing Sung Confucianism that only focused on human nature, and also looked into concrete objects. Especially, he accepted Inmulseongdong Theory and spread the Study of the North that claimed to learn Chung’s advanced culture. He took a serious view of practice rather than ideology. This practice-focused view of learning led to Ilyongdanghaeng (one should do whatever that has to be done in a day) and small things. The purpose of Hong’s learning was ‘to find out the truth and use it practically’. He claimed that learning should not stay as knowledge itself but it should be utilized so that people can live a better life. Therefore, his view of learning spread into law, mathematics, and science that can be used in real life. Hong emphasized practical experience in way learning. The four ways of learning are; first, one should have critical attitude and always question everything in learning, second, one should spend all his mind in learning and study thoroughly, third, one should be able to understand others by oneself, and fourth, one should accept strengths of other view of learning with fairness and impartiality. In conclusion, Hong was a great scholar, but not a scholar who only pursued knowledge. He had interest in various types of knowledge and tried to master them. He did not stop at acquiring knowledge. He was a practitioner who tried to solve problems in real life by utilizing knowledge.