Yi Ik 李瀷 (1682—1763): An Eighteenth-Century Korean Intellectual

Yi De $ SI (1682-1763) An Eighteenth-Century Korean Intellectual by M. S. Seoh I. The Historical Setting In term of emphasis and characteristics, Confucian learning in Yi Korea can be divided tentatively into three periods: the period of idealism, the period of metaphysics and the period of practicalism. The period of idealism (14 th-15 th century) stressed the realization of ideal life and ideal government in accordance with the teachings of the Confucian sages, and covered approximately the century following the foundation of the dynasty. The metaphysical period (16th-17th century), characterized by a total devotion to the study of Nco-Confucian metaphysics, inevitably provoked subsequent open disputes over doctrinal differences among Confucian scholars. The period of "practicalism" (18th-19th century), which demonstrated the final spark of traditional learning at the end of the period of Yi Korea, was an era of the "Practical Learning" or Sirhak ^P School. This school of learning was characterized by positive, empirical research of their subject, and was motivated by the eager desire to find better answers to problems other than those provided by the fossilized doctrines of Neo-Confucian orthodoxy, which had prevailed during preceeding centuries. With the consolidation of a school system throughout the country, together with the efficient operation of the national examination system (Kwago Í4$), the Yi Dynasty within a short period was able to provide a sufficient number of competent administrators for the operation of its bureaucracy. However in the meantime, the number of scholars devoting themselves to the academic study of Neo-Confucian metaphysics was growing. This tendency, together with the renewed "Literati Purge" or Sahwa (±H), served to increase the number of scholar-officials who relinquished their service in the central government and retired to their respective rural areas, in order to 10/Seoh devote themselves to the study of the metaphysics of the Chu Hsi school. This tendency naturally precipitated dcctrinal differences among scholars. An open dispute between Yi Hwang $£g (1501-1570) and Ki Tac-süng ^jzfr (1527-1572) over the "Four Ultimatcs and Seven Emotions" (ES-t: tu) divided Yi-Korean Confucian scholars into two different schools— "Principlist"(±3IiSO and "Ethcrialist"(±i;äß). When Yi I 3=Sf(1536-1584) came out in support of the "Ethcrialist"theory, almost all Confucian scholars classified themselves with either of the two masters, Yi Hwang (or T'wege by his pseudonym) and Yi I (or Yulgok by his pseudonym). Since Yi Hwang's Tosan Academy was located in Kyöngsang Province, the school of "Principle" (ffi) came to be called the "Southern School" (^jff $?). Yi I's school of "Ethcr"(^)was called the "Home Province School" (§£ffl¥#ß). When this intellectual dispute was carried over into the realm of politics, Yi-Korca factionalism further deepened and became more incurable. That is, the Southern School became the theoretical patron of the "Easterners " (^A) (later the "Southerners" in this paper) and the Home Province School became the theoretical patron of the "Westerners" (¡SA)· In the late 16 th century, at a time when the factional struggle was mounting in intensity, disastrous military invasions by the Japanese struck Korea. Not long afterwards, in the years 1627 and 1636, the Manchus overran Korea. These extensive foreign invasions resulted in both a drastic worsening of the national economy, and in grave social discontent. These foreign aggressions, together with other factors, contributed to the destruction of the land system, an increase of tax-free private land, a continuing crisis in the national revenue, and increasing exploitation and corruption within the ranks of the bureaucracy. Natural disasters, resulting in widespread famine, peasant uprisings, and slave absconsions also served to aggrcvatc these problems. As a result of the severe factional struggles, there was an increase of the number of ruined "Yang-ban". Then in 1680 (the 16 th year of King Sukchong), the "Southerners" (ifA) lost their power in the central government after having dominated it for ten years. The "Westerners" then came Yi Dc (1682—1763)/11 to power, but were soon split into two divisions-thc "Old Doctrines" (^u) and the "Young Doctrines" (*J>Ü). The "Southerners" regained power in 1689 by supporting Queen Chang, but five years later, ex-queen Min was...