The prime characteristic of the gentry class in Joseon dynasty is that they were scholar-officials who pursuedboth scholarship and politics together. However, there was the emergence of the gentry class who wanted to live their lives only as scholars....
The prime characteristic of the gentry class in Joseon dynasty is that they were scholar-officials who pursuedboth scholarship and politics together. However, there was the emergence of the gentry class who wanted to live their lives only as scholars. An example of this is the gentry class of the Namin faction in the Yoengnam province in the Joseon dynasty. This gentry classpursued particular lifestyles and philosophies in the region of Kyungsang province,especially Andong and its surrounding areas. The life of Chung,Kyu-Yang (1667-1732) in Jisuseonsaengyeonbo illustrates thischaracteristic. Chung, Kyu-Yang thoroughly studied essential works of Chu Hsi`s philosophy while learning Chu Hsi`s philosophy from Chung`s family members and Toegye`s philosophy from Chung`s teacher. As a result, he produced a substantial number of writings about Chu Hsi`s philosophy. Furthermore, he taught his own disciples while interacting with scholars of the Chu His school who belonged to the Namin faction of the Yeongnam school.It was critically important to Chung, Kyu-Yang to bring Chu Hsi`s philosophy into life. This paper argues that his life represents the typical life of the gentry class of the Namin faction of the Yeongnam school.