Korean neo-Confucianism evaluated as an imitator of Chinese neo-Confucianism in the early study of Joseon Confucianism. Though this evaluation had been keeping an effect, there was an attempt to seek the characteristics of Joseon neo-Confucianism thro...
Korean neo-Confucianism evaluated as an imitator of Chinese neo-Confucianism in the early study of Joseon Confucianism. Though this evaluation had been keeping an effect, there was an attempt to seek the characteristics of Joseon neo-Confucianism through T’oegye``s Study. Nowadays T’oegye``s Ibal Theory is acknowledged a major characteristic of Joseon neo-Confucianism among researchers in home and abroad. However, Joseon neo-confucianism built a ``commentary study on Zhu xi``s works`` through delicately evaluating Zhu Xi``s works. The starting point of Joseon neo-Confucianism as a commentary study on Zhu xi``s works was the annotations about the Synopsis of Zhu Xi’s Letters, written by T’oegye, and it was leaded by contemporary and later scholars. Expecially, Song Siyeol(宋時烈) started commenting on the Zhu Xi’s Collected Works and completed the Chuja taejon ch’aui(朱子大全箚疑). This book had been revised and enlarged by the School of Uam 尤庵 for 200 years. The revised version of Chuja taejon ch’aui was named the Chuja taejon ch’aui chippo(朱子大全箚疑輯補) that accomplished by Li Hangro(李恒老) and his son, Li chun(李儁). Joseon neo-Confucianism, triggered by T’oegye``s Study, had taken a transformation in-depth. Moreover, the results leaded a new theory and a delicate philology. In particular, the philological aspect of Joseon neo-Confucianism was started from the Chuja taejon ch’aui and was completed at the Chuja taejon ch’aui chippo. It is an enormous achievement which completes an annotation book of Chu Hsi’s Complete Works(朱子大全), and also a commentary study on Zhu xi``s works which contains characteristics of Joseon neo-Confucianism. For this reason, Joseon neo-Confucianism could be evaluated that began a new phase in theory and philology.