In this thesis I researched about the life and work of Joseon's most prominent Confucian scholars and the influence their work has had on the future. Joseon's path into Neo-Confucianism was started by Jong Do Jeon with his giving importance to Neo-Confucianism thought and call for abolishment of Buddhism. As the architect of the Joseon dynasty he was responsible for the transfer of Confucianism values into the state on the physical and mental levels. Throughout the history of the kingdom there were Korean philosophers that stood out. They were Yi Hwang, who strengthened Neo-Confucianism thought, based on the teachings of Zhu Xi and Yi I, who emphasized a more practical participation in political life and tried to, through reform, change a society leaning to corruption. A special emphasis is required for Jong Yak Yong, a Korean philosopher better known for his nickname Dasan. He introduced Christian values of a monotheist god into Neo-Confucianism that with its presence forces the individual into doing the right thing in fear of being ashamed if doing otherwise. Dasan Jong Yak Yong is the most important representative of the school of practical learning Silhak, that emerged as an answer to socioeconomical differences that came into being when Joseon turned its focus from agriculture to commerce in the later periods. All mentioned philosophers and their works, reforms, schools they belonged to helped shape Korean history and made Korean into the modern society it is today.
|
