This dissertation is on the systematic transition from Neo- Confucianism to Realist School of Confucianism with Dasan as the central figure. He is a greater writer who wrote voluminously during his 18 years of exile. He had lived in exile and experien...
This dissertation is on the systematic transition from Neo- Confucianism to Realist School of Confucianism with Dasan as the central figure. He is a greater writer who wrote voluminously during his 18 years of exile. He had lived in exile and experienced turning point of his life which was the persecution event of the roman catholic persuasion. As we know, though he was an apostate, he leaved an academic legacy not only on the confucian writings, but also especially on the theological writings. This is a left problem to us and that is a concern in this paper.
He was to reestablish the system of administration of the Chosŏn dynasty. For it, he was firstly absorbed in the study of Confucian Classics because of theoretical basis. In the base of this, he secondly reconstructed the system of administration of the Chosŏn dynasty.
This paper especially focuses on his meaning of the courtesy and the legality. For it, I selected a methodology as follows. First, I explicated delicate shades of meaning of ‘ren’(仁) between Chu-tze and Dasan. secondly, I analyzed Sa-RyeGa-Shik(四禮家式) as a practical alternative of Chu-tzuChia-li(朱子家禮) being carried out in the family. finally, I analyzed Gyoung-SeYou-Pyo(經世遺表) as a practical alternative of Gyoung-GukDa- Jeon(經國大典) being carried out in the government.
While Chu-tzu interpreted ren(仁) as the will to live(生意), Dasan understood it as a intercommunion(交際). Therefore, while Chu-tzu sought self-understanding(自得), Dasan pursued reciprocal practice(行事).
SaRye-GaSik have a meaning of alternative from Chu-tzuChia-li and it succeeded Seongho's YeShik(禮式). Dasan thought that while Chu- tzuChia-li was made for Jehu(諸侯), SaRye-GaSik for Sadaebu(士大夫). As like this, Dasan had designed reformation of the administrational system of the Chosŏn dynasty.
Although his endeavor was not adopted in his time, his passionate reformational spirit which lights in the confucian world named Realistic Confucianism. And remaining writings are keeping his head above ground. So I think that he is one acknowledged after his death who is in advance of his time.