article
Neo-Confucianism: the impulse for social action in early Yi Korea
Journal of Korean studies • 2 • Published In 1980 • Pages: 71-111
By: Deuchler, Martina.
Abstract
In this article, Deuchler discusses the Confucian transformation, or Sinicization, of the Korean state, during the Yi dynasty (1392-1910). According to Deuchler, the transformation process occured in three stages: The first stage involved the rejection of Buddhism by an elite of scholar-officials (SADAEBU) and its replacement by Confucianism as the underlying precepts for good government and society (P'UNGSOK). The subsequent stage (end of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries) involved a more philosophical exploration of neo-Confucian texts. The final stage marked an accommodation with Korean traditional customs (T'OSOK) and the adaptation of Confucianism to to fit Korean circumstances, forming a specifically Korean national culture and identity (KUKSOK). This accomodation was made possible by scholar-officials' understanding of YE--the manifestation of heavenly principle as expressed in ritual behavior--as both constant and variable with respect to time and place. Therefore Korean society could adhere to the basic moral quality of YE, but in a form different than China.
- HRAF PubDate
- 1998
- Region
- Asia
- Sub Region
- East Asia
- Document Type
- article
- Evaluation
- Creator Type
- Historian
- Document Rating
- 4: Excellent Secondary Data
- Analyst
- Ian Skoggard ; 1997
- Field Date
- not specified
- Coverage Date
- 1335-1910
- Coverage Place
- Korea
- Notes
- Martina Deuchler
- Includes bibliographical references (p. 101-111)
- LCCN
- sc81003173
- LCSH
- Koreans