The Rise of Neo-Confucianism in Korea (review)

BOOK REVIEWS71 there is the danger of fiscal policy being perceived as the entirety of the government 's role in the economy. Providing that readers do not fall into this danger, Public Finances During the Korean Modernization Process does an adequate job of informing them of fiscal policies undertaken in Korea during a crucial period in her history and their effects on economic growth and income distribution. Chung H. Lee University of Hawaii The Rise ofNeo-Confucianism in Korea, edited by Wm. Theodore de Bary and JaHyun Kim Haboush. New York: Columbia University Press, 1985. xvi, 551 pp. $40. It has generally been recognized by scholars that Chu Hsi Neo-Confucianism exercised an enormous influence upon the formation of Korean culture and society in the premodern period and that Korea played an important role in the growth and development of Neo-Confucianism in East Asia. There has, however, been no serious effort by Western scholars to study Neo-Confucianism in Korea comprehensively, and hence our understanding of Korea's Neo-Confucianism has thus far remained very limited. Partly to fill this intellectual gap, Wm. Theodore de Bary and JaHyun Kim Haboush have put together The Rise of Neo-Confucianism in Korea, a collection of fifteen articles originally presented at the Conference on NeoConfucianism in Korea, held in Bellagio, Italy, in August 1981. The authors are drawn from Korea, Japan, and Europe, as well as from North America. In producing a book of this nature, one can see two immediate problems. One is, where should one begin and what theme should one emphasize. This choice is difficult in view of the sheer size of the subject matter and our inadequate understanding of Neo-Confucianism in Korea. Second, it is not easy to bring together for a meaningful conference so many scholars from so many different countries and backgrounds. Indeed, the editors of this book have only partly been successful in overcoming these difficulties. The book lacks coherence , and the contents of the articles are uneven in quality. In spite of these weaknesses, The Rise of Neo-Confucianism in Korea is an important and useful addition to the growing literature on Korean studies. The book opens with an introduction prepared by one of its editors, William Theodore de Bary. This is not an ordinary introduction; it is an extremely enlightening essay in which de Bary elucidates several reference points "to gauge directions or to measure continuity and change" in the historical development of Neo-Confucianism in general. Especially helpful is his discourse on various schools of Neo-Confucianism. Under the heading of "Neo-Confucian Designations for the Way (tao) or Learning (hsüeh)" de Bary gives concise and yet learned interpretations of the different schools. He also outlines the gist of each article included in the book, highlighting the significance of its findings. De Bary's essay is very helpful for understanding the complex subject matters discussed elsewhere in the book. In the first article, "Chöng Tojön: 'Architect' of Yi Dynasty Government and Ideology," Chai-sik Chung examines the dual roles Chöng Tojon played in 72BOOK REVIEWS founding the Yi dynasty in 1392. First, Chöng was the main architect of the dynasty, and as a chief advisor to Yi Sönggye, the dynastic founder, he laid the groundwork for a basic governmental structure in accordance with NeoConfucian ideals. Chong embodied both idealistic and pragmatic views in his approach to government. Thus while he looked up to the legendary rulers of the classical Three Dynasties of China as the model for sage kings, he also believed in a wealthy and strong state as the goal for the new dynasty. The second point Chai-sik Chung emphasizes is that Chong was "an important Neo-Confucian thinker in his own right." (p. 82) Through his careful analysis of Chöng's criticism of Buddhism, the author makes a very persuasive argument for Chöng's depth of thought. This is a very useful article for understanding not just one man's ideas, but also the political and ideological milieu in which the Yi dynasty was founded. Kwon Kun was one of the most outstanding Neo-Confucian thinkers of the late Koryo...