夷川 南昌熙의 生涯와 學問

Abstract

This study takes a detailed look at ideas and the divergence of opinion within the Yeongnam region's Nohsa school, and its central figure Yi-Cheon Nam Chang Hui, who carried on the tradition of Nohsa train of thought of the Late Joseon Dynasty. Yi-Cheon was born at the close of the Joseon Dynasty and died on the year when the country was liberated from colonial rule. During his life he had strived to live by the Neo-Confucianist values and ideas. His clan made Pangokri of Euiryeong their ancestral home after the Imjin war. Through successive generations scholars were born out of the family, and the family name was held in high repute as to be included in Hyang-An. He was taken under the wing of Nobaekheon Jeong Jae Gyu who was Nosa Ki Jeong Jin's disciple, one of the most formidable intellects of his time. Yi-Cheon would devote his entire life to honoring Ju-Ri(主理) and Eui-Jeong-Cheok-Sa(衛正斥邪). Yi-Cheon's intellectual stance is based on thorough self- understanding and internalization of Neo-Confucianism. He would further the theories of Nohsa and argue that according to Yi-Gi theory, movement and stillness sided with reason. This was to prevent Yi-Gi's revaluation of all values since the time of Nohsa. On the theme of Shim-Seol he would abide by the theory of Shim-Hap-Ri-Gi and stressed that Qi should be valued when exercising Shim. He would argue against Han-Ju's assertion that "If there are differences in origin it is then Seong, while Shim refers to the state of being." He would accuse Han-Ju of misinterpreting Zhu Xi's words. He then criticized his colleagues who adhered to Han-Ju's opinion of Shim and Seong as being Tong-Che (統體)and Jo-Ri(條理) respectively. This was to prevent Nobaekhyeon's theory from leaning toward Shim-Jeuk-Ri. Yi-Cheon's explanation of Ri as having a Pyeonjeon in Seong and the way he tried to explain In-Mul-Seong-Dong theory on the basis of Ri over Qi shows that indeed he was following closely in the footsteps of Nohsa and Nobeakhyeon. Even in his daily life his intentions were to fulfill the natural design of the universe like Sam-Gang-Oh-Ryun rather than living according to one's own desires. Therefore lies his deep interest in Ye-Seol. Most notably, in a discussion concerning Ki-Hae-Ye-Song, Yi-Cheon stood on the side of the Song Shi Yeol's Ki-Nyeon-Bok. Such stance conveys his political tendency toward that of Seo-In or Nohron where it would prove that this does not run counter to Nohsa's therory.