설학(雪壑) 이대기(李大期)의 학통과 학문

Abstract

This paper revealed the academic heritance of Seolhak Yi Dae-gi (1551~1628), a Jungbuk scholar in the Nammyeong School of Confucianism and his general study and idea by reviewing the existing research papers. Yi Dae-gi studied under the guidance of Whoang Gang, Yi Hyi-an, Nammyeong Jo Sik and Suwudang Choi Yeong-gyeong. His study and idea can be summarized into the Neo-Confucianism based on the “respect”that is a characteristic of Nammyeonghak. When the Japanese invasion broke out, Yi Dae-gi raised a righteous army in Chogyae, his hometown and served as an army commander to make contribution in overcoming the national crisis. Amid the immorality and misrule under the rule of Daebuk in the regime of Gwanhaegun, he was eventually exiled to Baekryeongdo by taking a path to abide by righteousness against it. Yi Dae-gi was not disturbed by the pessimistic or depressed reality during his hermitage and exile as Gul-won or Ga-yui in similar situation in history did. He overcame the limitation of writing historical books on the political conflicts while he was pleased with his situation conducting on morals to write Seolhaksomun in which he organically understood the injustice of King Sejo. This book which is the only collective historical record on the political conflicts in the Joseon Dynasty has a special academic significance and value in that it applied and combined with Chunchupilbeop of Confucius, the idea of respect of Nammyeonghak and Igiron in Neo-Confucianism. After Choi Yeong-gyeong had died of the incident involvement of Jeong Yeo-rip, Yi Dae-gi cooperated with Jeong In-hong who played a leading role as the first scholar in the school of Gyeongsangwudo Nammyeonghak while respecting him as a leader though he was not his disciple. However, when Jeong Yeo-rip and the school of Nammyeonghak Daebuk in the regime of Gwanhaegun joined the misrule, Yi Dae-gi abandoned his governmental post to protest it and was exiled by Daebuk while maintaining his fidelity and adhering to his belief. This must be considered higher than Jeong In-hong and Nammyeonghak Daebuk in ideology as this is the inheritance of the nature of the Nammyeong School of Confucianism emphasizing discipline and practice.