Silhak was a Korean Confucian social reform movement in the 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 modern Korea.
Prominent scholars
- Yi Ji-ham (1517–1578), a scholar, seer, and public official who implemented related programs while serving as magistrate of Pocheon and Asan.89 While he predates Silhak as an explicit approach, his legend has been connected to the Silhak movement.10: 228
- Kim Yuk (1580–1658) postwar reformer who vigorously advocated Daedongbeop (Uniform Land Tax Law), introduced into Korea a reformed calendar, and supported technological improvements11
- Yi Sugwang (1563–1627), scholar-official who introduced Western science, religion, and social studies to Korea.12
- Yu Hyeong-won (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.13
- Yi Ik (1681–1764) of the second generation of Silhak scholars, founder of the Gyeongsechiyongpa (경세치용파 經世致用派 School of Administration and Practical Usage14).151617
- An Chŏngpok (1712–1791), student of Yi Ik.
- Yun Hyu (1617–1680)
- Pak Sedang (1629–1703), scholar of poetry, literature, calligraphy and painting.
- Yu Suwŏn (1694–1755) representing what is sometimes considered the founder of the Iyonghusaengpa (이용후생파 利用厚生派 School of Profitable Usage and Benefiting the People18).
- Park Ji-won (1737–1805), the center of the Iyonghusaengpa (이용후생파 利用厚生派 School of Profitable Usage and Benefiting the People19).2021
- Sin Kyŏngjun (1712–1781)
- Wi Baek-gyu (1727–1798)
- Hong Dae-yong (1731–1783), an astronomer who asserted the Copernican theory.
- Yi Deok-mu (1741–1793)
- Pak Je-ga (1750–1815), a part of the Northern School of Silhak and was particularly critical of the civil service examinations.22
- Kim Jeonghui (1786–1856), representing the Silsagusipa (실사구시파 實事求是派 School of Seeking Evidence23)
- Jeong Yak-yong (1762–1836; informally known as "Dasan"), led the third wave of Silhak.24252627
- Seo Yu-gu (1764-1845)
- Choi han-ki (1803-1877)
See also
External links
- Baker D (1999), A different thread: Orthodoxy, heterodoxy and Catholicism in a Confucian world, in JHK Haboush & M Deuchler (eds.), Culture and State in Late Chosŏn Korea. Harv. Univ. Press, pp. 199–230.
- Kalton, Michael (May 1975), "An Introduction to Silhak", Korea Journal, 15 (5): 29~46, archived from the original on June 14, 2011, retrieved April 14, 2009
- Cho, KyuYoung (Winter 2006), "Implication of Korean Traditional Epistemology in Planning Theory: Focusing on the Pragmatic Philosophy of Silhak", Korea Journal, 46 (4): 168~191, archived from the original on October 26, 2007, retrieved April 14, 2009
References
Korea (historical nation, Asia) :: Silhak and popular culture - Britannica Online Encyclopedia http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/693609/Korea/35015/Silhak-and-popular-culture ↩
Merriam-Webster's encyclopedia of world religions - Google Books https://books.google.com/books?id=ZP_f9icf2roC&dq=silhak&pg=PA864 ↩
Transforming Korean politics: democracy, reform, and culture - Google Books https://books.google.com/books?id=hkRbZQogLA4C&dq=silhak&pg=PA47 ↩
::: Welcome to KOREA JOURNAL ::: Archived 2007-10-26 at the Wayback Machine http://www.ekoreajournal.net/archive/detail.jsp?BACKFLAG=Y&VOLUMENO=46&BOOKNUM=4&PAPERNUM=8&SEASON=Winter&YEAR=2006 ↩
Religion and social formation in Korea: minjung and millenarianism - Google Books https://books.google.com/books?id=VZ8zdt5d3ugC&dq=silhak&pg=PA47 ↩
Elites and political power in South Korea – Google Books https://books.google.com/books?id=Ik4nJ8oTn9YC&q=silhak&pg=PA24 ↩
Religion and social formation in Korea: minjung and millenarianism - Google Books https://books.google.com/books?id=VZ8zdt5d3ugC&dq=silhak&pg=PA47 ↩
"Lee Ji-ham, a far-seeing sage for the people". KBS World Radio. Retrieved December 25, 2016. http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/archive/program/program_koreanstory.htm?no=25395¤t_page=13 ↩
"Legends of Otherworldly and Renowned Figures, Encyclopedia of Korean Folk Culture". November 30, 2016. Retrieved October 22, 2017. http://folkency.nfm.go.kr/en/topic/LegendsofOtherworldlyandRenownedFigures/5632 ↩
Encyclopedia of Korean Folk Literature. 길잡이미디어. 27 November 2014. ISBN 9788928900848. Retrieved October 22, 2017. 9788928900848 ↩
::: Welcome to KOREA JOURNAL ::: Archived 2011-06-14 at the Wayback Machine http://www.ekoreajournal.net/archive/detail.jsp?VOLUMENO=15&BOOKNUM=5&PAPERNUM=4 ↩
::: Welcome to KOREA JOURNAL ::: Archived 2011-06-14 at the Wayback Machine http://www.ekoreajournal.net/archive/detail.jsp?VOLUMENO=15&BOOKNUM=5&PAPERNUM=4 ↩
Transforming Korean politics ... - Google Books https://books.google.com/books?id=hkRbZQogLA4C&dq=silhak&pg=PA48 ↩
::: Welcome to KOREA JOURNAL ::: Archived 2007-10-26 at the Wayback Machine http://www.ekoreajournal.net/archive/detail.jsp?BACKFLAG=Y&VOLUMENO=46&BOOKNUM=4&PAPERNUM=8&SEASON=Winter&YEAR=2006 ↩
Merriam-Webster's encyclopedia of world religions - Google Books https://books.google.com/books?id=ZP_f9icf2roC&dq=silhak&pg=PA864 ↩
Transforming Korean politics ... - Google Books https://books.google.com/books?id=hkRbZQogLA4C&dq=silhak&pg=PA48 ↩
::: Welcome to KOREA JOURNAL ::: Archived 2011-06-14 at the Wayback Machine http://www.ekoreajournal.net/archive/detail.jsp?VOLUMENO=15&BOOKNUM=5&PAPERNUM=4 ↩
::: Welcome to KOREA JOURNAL ::: Archived 2007-10-26 at the Wayback Machine http://www.ekoreajournal.net/archive/detail.jsp?BACKFLAG=Y&VOLUMENO=46&BOOKNUM=4&PAPERNUM=8&SEASON=Winter&YEAR=2006 ↩
::: Welcome to KOREA JOURNAL ::: Archived 2007-10-26 at the Wayback Machine http://www.ekoreajournal.net/archive/detail.jsp?BACKFLAG=Y&VOLUMENO=46&BOOKNUM=4&PAPERNUM=8&SEASON=Winter&YEAR=2006 ↩
Merriam-Webster's encyclopedia of world religions - Google Books https://books.google.com/books?id=ZP_f9icf2roC&dq=silhak&pg=PA864 ↩
Silhak (Korean political philosophy) - Britannica Online Encyclopedia http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/544142/Silhak ↩
Elites and political power in South ... - Google Books https://books.google.com/books?id=Ik4nJ8oTn9YC&dq=silhak&pg=PA43 ↩
::: Welcome to KOREA JOURNAL ::: Archived 2007-10-26 at the Wayback Machine http://www.ekoreajournal.net/archive/detail.jsp?BACKFLAG=Y&VOLUMENO=46&BOOKNUM=4&PAPERNUM=8&SEASON=Winter&YEAR=2006 ↩
(Baker, 1999) ↩
Transforming Korean politics ... - Google Books https://books.google.com/books?id=hkRbZQogLA4C&dq=silhak&pg=PA48 ↩
Religion and social formation in Korea: minjung and millenarianism - Google Books https://books.google.com/books?id=VZ8zdt5d3ugC&dq=silhak&pg=PA47 ↩
Elites and political power in South ... - Google Books https://books.google.com/books?id=Ik4nJ8oTn9YC&q=silhak&pg=PA24 ↩