조선 초기 문과 강경과목 연구

Abstract

This study investigates the changing of the subjects of the oral test of the civil service examination during the early Choseon Dynasty which GyeongGukDaeJeon(經國大典)was established. The subjects of the oral test were the Nine Classics in the beginning period of Choseon Dynasty. But soon leaders intensely disputed the benefits of GangGyeong(講經) as compared with Eui·Eui(疑·義) to test one’s knowledge of Confucian classics until the latter half of King Sejong's reign. The subjects of the oral test were adjusted to include the Seven Classics in this process. Other books, called Ja·Sa(子·史), were added during the period from King Sejo to King Seongjong. These newly added titles were mainly history books. During the period of King Seongjong, the rules of MyeongGyeongKwa were made that selected successful candidates based on the oral test about the Nine Classics. Their ranking was determined by the written test of the last examination with competition of successful candidates of the normal course of the civil service examination. The former's criteria of the oral test was higher than the latter's. This aimed at preventing MyeongGyeongKwa from undermining the principle of the civil service examination that selected individuals who were equipped with Confucian knowledge, writing skills, and insight regarding major issues of the day. The ideal of Confucian knowledge was well-versed in Nine Classics. In practice however, candidates couldn't be versed in all of them and running the Dynasty also needed knowledge of other books. The subjects of the oral test of the civil service examination in GyeongGukDaeJeon reflected the ideal and the real.