Silhak
Encyclopedia
Silhak was a Korean Confucian
social reform movement in late Joseon Dynasty
. Sil means "actual" or "practical," and hak means "studies" or "learning." It developed in response to the increasingly metaphysical nature of Neo-Confucianism
(성리학) that seemed disconnected from the rapid agricultural, industrial, and political changes occurring in Korea
between the late 17th and early 19th centuries. Silhak was designed to counter the "uncritical" following of Confucian teachings and the strict adherence to "formalism" and "ritual" by neo-Confucians. Most of the Silhak scholars were from factions excluded from power and other disaffected scholars calling for reform. They advocated an empirical Confucianism deeply concerned with human society at the practical level.
Its proponents generally argued for reforming the rigid Confucian social structure, land reforms to relieve the plight of peasant farmers, promoting Korea's own national identity and culture, encouraging the study of science, and advocating technology exchange with foreign countries. Silhak scholars wanted to use realistic and experimental approaches to social problems with the consideration of the welfare of the people. Silhak scholars encouraged human equality and moved toward a more Korean-centric view of Korean history. The Silhak school is credited with helping to create a modern Korea.
Korean Confucianism
Korean Confucianism is the form of Confucianism developed in Korea. One of the most substantial influences in Korean intellectual history was the introduction of Confucian thought as part of the cultural influence from China...
social reform movement in late Joseon Dynasty
Joseon Dynasty
Joseon , was a Korean state founded by Taejo Yi Seong-gye that lasted for approximately five centuries. It was founded in the aftermath of the overthrow of the Goryeo at what is today the city of Kaesong. Early on, Korea was retitled and the capital was relocated to modern-day Seoul...
. Sil means "actual" or "practical," and hak means "studies" or "learning." It developed in response to the increasingly metaphysical nature of Neo-Confucianism
Neo-Confucianism
Neo-Confucianism is an ethical and metaphysical Chinese philosophy influenced by Confucianism, that was primarily developed during the Song Dynasty and Ming Dynasty, but which can be traced back to Han Yu and Li Ao in the Tang Dynasty....
(성리학) that seemed disconnected from the rapid agricultural, industrial, and political changes occurring in Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
between the late 17th and early 19th centuries. Silhak was designed to counter the "uncritical" following of Confucian teachings and the strict adherence to "formalism" and "ritual" by neo-Confucians. Most of the Silhak scholars were from factions excluded from power and other disaffected scholars calling for reform. They advocated an empirical Confucianism deeply concerned with human society at the practical level.
Its proponents generally argued for reforming the rigid Confucian social structure, land reforms to relieve the plight of peasant farmers, promoting Korea's own national identity and culture, encouraging the study of science, and advocating technology exchange with foreign countries. Silhak scholars wanted to use realistic and experimental approaches to social problems with the consideration of the welfare of the people. Silhak scholars encouraged human equality and moved toward a more Korean-centric view of Korean history. The Silhak school is credited with helping to create a modern Korea.
Prominent scholars
- Kim Yuk, 1580–1658, postwar reformer who advocated coinage, introduced into Korea a reformed calendar, and supported technological improvements
- Yi Su-gwangYi Su-gwangYi Su-gwang , also known as Lee Sugwang, was a Korean sarim, a military official, and a diplomat of the Joseon Dynasty. He was also an academic and an encyclopedist who created Jibong yuseol, the earliest Korean encyclopedia.-Early life:...
, 1563–1627, scholar-official who introduced Western science, religion, and social studies to Korea. - Yu Hyeong-wonYu Hyeong-wonYu Hyeong-won was a Korean pioneer of the silhak thinking and scholar from the Munhwa Yu clan during the late period of the Joseon Dynasty. His family had high official positions in generation.-References:...
, 1622–1673, representing what is sometimes considered the first generation of Silhak scholars, he advocated a "public land system" where the state would hold title and allocate the land for the farmer to use. - Yi IkSeongho Yi IkSeongho Yi Ik was an early Silhak philosopher and social critic. He was born to a yangban family of the Yeoju Yi clan. Like most in his position, he studied for the gwageo in order to gain a position of rank; but failed in his first attempt in 1705...
, 1681–1764, of the second generation of Silhak scholars, founder of the Gyeongsechiyongpa (경세치용파 經世致用派 School of Administration and Practical Usage), advocating reforms of land ownership, economic infrastructure, and government administration. This is known as the "equal field system" and was supposed to guarantee enough land for each farmer to provide for his livelihood. Yi Ik, contrary to the neo-Confucians, believed that subjects such as geography and mathematics could be approached as real academic disciplines. - Ahn Jeong-bok, 1712–1791, student of Yi Ik.
- Yun Hyu, 1617–1680
- Park Se-dang, 1629–1703, scholar of poetry, literature, calligraphy and painting.
- Park Ji-won, 1737–1805, center of the Iyonghusaengpa (이용후생파 利用厚生派 School of Profitable Usage and Benefiting the People), promoting industrialization, commerce, and the introduction of foreign technology.
- Sin Gyeong-jun, 1712–1781
- Wi Baek-gyu, 1727–1798
- Hong Dae-yong, 1731–1783, was an astronomer who asserted the Copernican theory.
- Yi Deok-mu, 1741–1793
- Pak Je GaPak Je GaBak Je-ga was a famous Silhak scholar in the late Joseon Dynasty. He was a student of another famous Silhak scholar, Bak Ji-won ....
, 1750–1815, was a part of the Northern School of Silhak and was particularly critical of the civil service examinations (kwago), which was designed to select the most intelligent men for high governmental service but had become corrupt and allowed incompetent men into government. - Kim JeonghuiKim JeonghuiKim Jeong-hui was a prominent Korean civil minister, Silhak scholar, and calligrapher. He invented his own style of calligraphy called, "chusache", based on ancient Korean monumental inscriptions.- Further reading:*...
, 1786–1856, representing the Silsagusipa (실사구시파 實事求是派 School of Seeking Evidence) - Jeong Yak-yongJeong Yak-yongJeong Yak-yong was a leading Korean philosopher in the late Joseon Dynasty. He has usually been regarded as one of the greatest thinkers of the so-called "Practical Learning" movement...
, 1762–1836 (informally known as "Dasan"), led the third wave of Silhak. Like a number of other Silhak scholars, he was interested in some Christian ideas. However, he renounced these deviations from Confucianism and thus (unlike his older brother) escaped the headsman's axe in the Catholic persecution of 1801. He was an advocate for the right of the people (min kwon). He advocated a strengthening of rigid class boundaries which had largely collapsed by the 18th century. Specifically, he suggested a "village land system," in which the village would hold its land in common and farm the land as a whole, while the products of the land would be divided based on the amount of labor contributed. He seems to have stopped expressing these radical notions at some point, but continued to believe that the common people should be able to participate in the government, to criticize the government, and have a voice in selecting their leaders. He wrote The Mind Governing the People (목민심서) and argued that a rigid social class order with the king at the top was necessary for the government to maintain order but also favored experimentation for the social good.