Silhak

{{Short description|Social reform movement in Joseon}} {{Italic title}} {{Asian philosophy sidebar}} {{Infobox Korean name/auto |hangul=^실학 |hanja=實學 }} '''''Silhak''''' ({{Korean|hangul=실학|hanja=實學}}) 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.<ref>[http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/693609/Korea/35015/Silhak-and-popular-culture Korea (historical nation, Asia) :: Silhak and popular culture - Britannica Online Encyclopedia]</ref> ''Silhak'' was designed to counter the "uncritical" following of Confucian teachings and the strict adherence to "formalism" and "ritual" by neo-Confucians.<ref name="books.google.com">[https://books.google.com/books?id=ZP_f9icf2roC&dq=silhak&pg=PA864 Merriam-Webster's encyclopedia of world religions - Google Books]</ref> Most of the ''Silhak'' scholars were from factions excluded from power and other disaffected scholars calling for reform.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=hkRbZQogLA4C&dq=silhak&pg=PA47 Transforming Korean politics: democracy, reform, and culture - Google Books]</ref> They advocated an empirical Confucianism deeply concerned with human society at the practical level.<ref name="ekoreajournal.net">[http://www.ekoreajournal.net/archive/detail.jsp?BACKFLAG=Y&VOLUMENO=46&BOOKNUM=4&PAPERNUM=8&SEASON=Winter&YEAR=2006 ::: Welcome to KOREA JOURNAL :::] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071026230432/http://www.ekoreajournal.net/archive/detail.jsp?BACKFLAG=Y&VOLUMENO=46&BOOKNUM=4&PAPERNUM=8&SEASON=Winter&YEAR=2006 |date=2007-10-26 }}</ref>

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.<ref name="ReferenceB">[https://books.google.com/books?id=VZ8zdt5d3ugC&dq=silhak&pg=PA47 Religion and social formation in Korea: minjung and millenarianism - Google Books]</ref> ''Silhak'' scholars wanted to use realistic and experimental approaches to social problems with the consideration of the welfare of the people.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=Ik4nJ8oTn9YC&q=silhak&pg=PA24 Elites and political power in South Korea – Google Books]</ref> ''Silhak'' scholars encouraged human equality and moved toward a more Korean-centric view of Korean history.<ref name="ReferenceB"/> 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.<ref name=kbs-yjh>{{cite web|url = http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/archive/program/program_koreanstory.htm?no=25395&current_page=13|title = Lee Ji-ham, a far-seeing sage for the people|publisher = KBS World Radio|access-date = December 25, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = http://folkency.nfm.go.kr/en/topic/LegendsofOtherworldlyandRenownedFigures/5632|title = Legends of Otherworldly and Renowned Figures, Encyclopedia of Korean Folk Culture|date = November 30, 2016|access-date = October 22, 2017}}</ref> While he predates ''Silhak'' as an explicit approach, his legend has been connected to the ''Silhak'' movement.<ref name=ekfl-yjh>{{cite book|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=DsR3BgAAQBAJ|title = Encyclopedia of Korean Folk Literature|date = 27 November 2014| publisher=길잡이미디어 |isbn = 9788928900848|access-date = October 22, 2017}}</ref>{{rp|228}} * Kim Yuk (1580–1658) postwar reformer who vigorously advocated Daedongbeop (Uniform Land Tax Law), introduced into Korea a reformed calendar, and supported technological improvements<ref name="ReferenceC">[http://www.ekoreajournal.net/archive/detail.jsp?VOLUMENO=15&BOOKNUM=5&PAPERNUM=4 ::: Welcome to KOREA JOURNAL :::] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110614034743/http://www.ekoreajournal.net/archive/detail.jsp?VOLUMENO=15&BOOKNUM=5&PAPERNUM=4 |date=2011-06-14 }}</ref> * Yi Sugwang (1563–1627), scholar-official who introduced Western science, religion, and social studies to Korea.<ref name="ReferenceC"/> * 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.<ref name="ReferenceA">[https://books.google.com/books?id=hkRbZQogLA4C&dq=silhak&pg=PA48 Transforming Korean politics ... - Google Books]</ref> * 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 Usage<ref name="ekoreajournal.net"/>).<ref name="books.google.com"/><ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref name="ReferenceC"/> * 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 People<ref name="ekoreajournal.net"/>). * Pak Chiwŏn (1737–1805), the center of the ''Iyonghusaengpa'' (이용후생파 利用厚生派 School of Profitable Usage and Benefiting the People<ref name="ekoreajournal.net"/>).<ref name="books.google.com"/><ref>[http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/544142/Silhak Silhak (Korean political philosophy) - Britannica Online Encyclopedia]</ref> * Sin Kyŏngjun (1712–1781) * Wi Baek-gyu (1727–1798) * Hong Taeyong (1731–1783), an astronomer who asserted the Copernican theory. * Yi Deok-mu (1741–1793) * Pak Chega (1750–1815), a part of the Northern School of Silhak and was particularly critical of the civil service examinations.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=Ik4nJ8oTn9YC&dq=silhak&pg=PA43 Elites and political power in South ... - Google Books]</ref> * Kim Chŏnghŭi (1786–1856), representing the ''Silsagusipa'' (실사구시파 實事求是派 School of Seeking Evidence<ref name="ekoreajournal.net"/>) * Chŏng Yagyong (1762–1836; informally known as "Dasan"), led the third wave of ''Silhak''.<ref>(Baker, 1999)</ref><ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref name="ReferenceB"/><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=Ik4nJ8oTn9YC&q=silhak&pg=PA24 Elites and political power in South ... - Google Books]</ref> * Seo Yu-gu (1764-1845) * Choi han-ki (1803-1877)

==See also== * Korean Confucianism * Seohak

== References == {{Reflist}}

== 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. * {{citation|first=Michael|last=Kalton|title=An Introduction to Silhak|url=http://www.ekoreajournal.net/archive/detail.jsp?VOLUMENO=15&BOOKNUM=5&PAPERNUM=4|journal=Korea Journal|volume=15|issue=5|pages=29~46|date=May 1975|access-date=April 14, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110614034743/http://www.ekoreajournal.net/archive/detail.jsp?VOLUMENO=15&BOOKNUM=5&PAPERNUM=4|archive-date=June 14, 2011}} * {{citation|first=KyuYoung|last=Cho|title=Implication of Korean Traditional Epistemology in Planning Theory: Focusing on the Pragmatic Philosophy of Silhak|url=http://www.ekoreajournal.net/archive/detail.jsp?BACKFLAG=Y&VOLUMENO=46&BOOKNUM=4&PAPERNUM=8&SEASON=Winter&YEAR=2006|journal=Korea Journal|volume=46|issue=4|pages=168~191|date=Winter 2006|access-date=April 14, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071026230432/http://www.ekoreajournal.net/archive/detail.jsp?BACKFLAG=Y&VOLUMENO=46&BOOKNUM=4&PAPERNUM=8&SEASON=Winter&YEAR=2006|archive-date=October 26, 2007}}

Category:Korean Confucianism Category:17th-century establishments in Korea