Song Siyŏl: The Revival of a Qi-Oriented Approach to the Interpretation of the Mind

Abstract

Modern scholars in Korea have paid little attention to seventeenth century Chosŏn Dynasty philosophy. It is often said that the century was a period of incessant conflicts between the political parties that then existed in Korea. Some believe that the conflicts of this period were partly responsible for the delay in the development of the Chosŏn Dynasty. Some scholars also characterize the seventeenth century as being flawed by the corruption of declining Neo-Confucianism. However, others credit this period as being one where widely prevalent corruption triggered the people’s longing for a change in many areas. Furthermore, little attention has been paid to the significant figures of this century such as: Kim Changsaeng (金長生, 1548–1631), Kim Chip (金集, 1574–1656), Song Junkil (宋浚吉, 1606–1672), Song Siyŏl (宋時烈, 1607–1689), Pak Sech’ae (朴世采, 1631–1695), and Yun Chŭng (尹拯, 1629–1714), and their doctrines on rites and on learning of principle (li 理) and righteousness (ŭi 義). These people were conscious of their era’s mission and were well-equipped with historical sensitivity. Historically, the most notable of these figures was Song Siyŏl, and he occupies an important position in the history of Korean Confucianism. He was highly respected, had a very good reputation amongst his contemporaries, and was one of eighteen revered wise men enshrined in the Chosŏn Dynasty Confucian Shrine (Munmyo 文廟).

Glossary

Chong-Jo (正祖 1752 ~ 1800)

the 22nd king of the Chosŏn dynasty

Chosŏn (朝鮮)

the name of the dynasty in Korea lasting from 1392 to 1910

Chung Yi (程頤 1033년 ~ 1107년)

Confucian scholar during the Song dynasty. The younger brother of Chung Ho

Dairosabi (大老祠碑)

the monument for Song Siyeol located in Yeoju, Gyeongi Province

Eurihak (義理學)

the study of righteousness and justice

Han Wŏnchin (韓元震 1682–1751)

neo-Confucian scholar during the late Chosŏn period. The student of Song Siyeol

Haoranzhiqi (浩然之氣)

clean and vast moral energy, which fills heaven and earth

Hong Yubu (洪有阜)

Confucian student during the late Chosŏn period who attacked Song Siyeol

Liqilun (理氣論)

the theory of li and qi

Jeong Kyungyu (鄭景由)

Confucian scholar during the late Chosŏn period

Jo Bokhyŏng (趙復亨)

Confucian scholar during the late Chosŏn period

Kichuk Bongsa (己丑封事)

the name of the document containing the proposals sent to the king in 1649, written by Song Siyeol

Kim Changsaeng (金長生 1548–1631)

Confucian scholar during the middle Chosŏn period. The student of Yul Gok Yi-I and the teacher of Song Siyeol

Kim Jip (金集)

the son of Kim Changsaeng

Kim Jikkyŏng (金直卿)

the student of Song Siyeol

Kim Jungko (金仲固)

the student of Song Siyeol

Kim Kan (金榦)

the student of Song Siyeol

Kim Sanghŏn (金尙憲 1570–1652)

one of the people who wanted to go to war when the Ching dynasty invaded Chosun in 1636

Kisuljaplok (記述雜錄)

records kept by students containing the teachings of Song Siyeol

Kwŏn Sangha (權尙夏)

the student and successor of Song Siyeol

Kun (坤)

the hexagram of the earth in the Book of Changes

Yi Kunbo (李君輔)

the student of Song Siyeol

Yi Yeŏku (李汝九)

the student of Song Siyeol

Li (理)

concept in Chinese philosophy denoting the principle of all things

Liji (禮記)

the Book of Rites

Lu Jiuyuan (陸九淵 1139–1193)

the Chinese philosopher during the Song dynasty who was the rival of Chu Shi

Lunyu (論語)

the Analects

Munmyo (文廟)

Confucian shrine

Pak Sech’ae (朴世采 1631–1695)

Confucian scholar during the middle Chosŏn period

Pak Kwangyil (朴光一)

the student of Song Siyeol

Qi-Issuance (氣發)

the release of qi

Qi (氣)

concept in Chinese philosophy denoting vital or material force

Shao Yong (邵雍 1011–1077)

Confucian scholar during the Song dynasty

Song Junkil (宋浚吉 1606–1672)

Confucian scholar during the middle Chosŏn period

Song Siyŏl (宋時烈 1607–1689)

Confucian scholar during the middle Chosŏn period

Songja (宋子)

a title given to Song Siyeol meaning sage

Songja Daejŏn (宋子大全)

name given to the complete works of Song Siyeol

Sungkyunkwan (成均館)

the national Confucian school of the Chosŏn dynasty

Suk’jong (肅宗)

the 19th king of the Chosŏn dynasty

Taiji (太極)

concept in Chinese philosophy denoting ultimate reality

Wang Soulun (王守仁 1472–1528)

Confucian scholar during the Ming dynasty

Hwasŏjip (華西集)

the name of the complete works of Hwaseo Yihangro

Xin (心)

concept in Chinese philosophy denoting mind

Xing (性)

concept in Chinese philosophy denoting human nature

Yang (陽)

concept in Chinese philosophy denoting positive and bright material force

Yi Hangno (李恒老 1792–1868)

Confucian scholar during the late Chosŏn period

Yi Hwang (李滉 1501–1570)

Confucian scholar during the middle Chosŏn period

Yi Sangchin (李象辰)

Confucian scholar during the late Chosŏn period

Yi I (李珥 1536–1584)

Confucian scholar during the middle Chosŏn period

Yi Ching (易經)

Chinese name for the Book of Changes

Yin (陰)

concept in Chinese philosophy denoting negative and dark material force

Yu Jik (柳稷)

Confucian student during the late Chosŏn period

Yun Jeung (尹拯 1629–1714)

Confucian scholar during the middle Chosŏn period

Zhang Zai (張載 1020–1077)

Confucian scholar during the Song dynasty

Zheng -zi (曾子)

the disciple of Confucius who wrote The Great Learning

zhi (直)

one of the main concepts stressed by Confucius, meaning honesty and impartiality

Zhu Xi (朱熹 1130–1200)

the master of neo-Confucianism

Zhuzi Yulei (朱子語類)

records kept by students containing the teachings of Zhu-chi

Zi Si (子思)

the grandson of Confucius who wrote The Golden Mean

Zhongyong (中庸)

Chinese name for The Golden Mean