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, Kim Chip, Song Junkil, Song Siyŏl, Pak Sech’ae, and Yun Chŭng, and their doctrines on rites and on learning of principle and righteousness. 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.