Development of Sagonghak during the Transition from the Koryŏ to the Chosŏn Dynasty
Journal Title: International Journal of Korean History - Year 2002, Vol 3, Issue 1
Abstract
During the last gasps of the Koryŏ Dynasty the Sadaebu (Literati) attempted to implement Sŏnglihak (Chinese Metaphysics) as an ideal for reform in order to overcome the internal and external crises that were affecting the nation at the time. More specifically, they attempted to reform the dynasty into a new ideal Confucian nation based on metaphysics, a concept that was regarded as being an advanced idea at the time. However, in addition to metaphysics whose emphasis is on improving the moral and self‐cultivation aspects, the Koryŏ dynasty was in need of an ideology covering the general aspects of national administration as well as a political system. More specifically, what was required was a theory of national administration and a political system that in addition to addressing the rampant greed of civil servants, best characterized by injustice and corruption, could overcome the external crisis, namely the continuous invasions by Japanese marauders and the Honggŏn Jŏk (Red Turban Bandits). Notably, the Sadaebu became interested in Sagonghak and took to consulting the Yusŏhak, an encyclopedia like compilation, in order to overcome the external crisis and the rampant social disorder. In addition, recent research has revealed that the Kyŏngjemungam (Literature on Economics) written by Jung, Do‐jŏn contains Sagonghak writings.2 If this is the case, what exactly is this Sagonghak that was selected as the main philosophy during the transition period from the Koryŏ to the Chosŏn dynasty? What relation does it bear to Sŏnglihak? What were the factors that led to Sagonghak being selected despite the fact that Sŏnglihak was the mainstream philosophy of the day? This article will analyze how Sagong was accepted by looking into its historical meaning from a philosophical standpoint. In result, this study will provide important ground for understanding the political philosophy and ruling doctrine of the Chosŏn dynasty.
Authors and Affiliations
Hyeon-chul Do
Keywords
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