The purpose of this paper is to analyze change of the early and the
latter position of Yi Hwang in a process of Four Seven debate between
Yi Hwang(pen name is Toegye, 1501~1570) and Gi Dae-seong(pen name
is Gobong, 1527~1572) and, to investigate how this change is
transmitted through follower of Toegye’s philosophy, and throuhg it, to
identify characteristic of Toegye’s philosophy in Four Seven debate and
the scale which it has.
Yi Hwang determines a philosophical characteristic in his own way
in the early of Four Seven debate(四端七情論爭). He opposes good to
evil, and so sets up Four Clues(四端) and Seven Emotions(七情) as
complementary relation(待對關係), through it, he interprets relation
between Li and Ki as Not being mixed(不相雜). In addition to, he
presented ‘Li issues’ to put origin(所從來) of Four Clues on Li, and to
secure active superintendence or activity of Li. Howeve, this standpoint
faces with refutation of Gi Dae-seong, Yi hwang presents amended
position in this process, which is latter philosophy of Yi Hwang. He
does not make set up Four Clues and Seven Emotions as a simple
complementary relation, by affirming Seven Emotions as the sum of Li
and Ki, and by admitting original attribute which it has is good.
Moreover, for relation of Li and Ki, he emphasize Not being mixed in
condition which assumes Not being separated(不相離), and ‘Li issues’ is
confirmed as ‘mutual occurrence of Li and Ki(理氣互發)’ whcih it
depends on Ki and issues. Refutation of Gi Dae-seong moves to
standpoint that Yi Hwang doesn’t defines Not being separated and Not
being mixed right, or Yi Hwang doesn’t admit Li issues and Ki issues
(氣發) at the same time.
Thus, the change of Yi Hwang’s theory of Four Clues and Seven
Emotions which comes out minutely in the former part and the latter
part, is adopted in different way each Yi Hyeon-Il and Yi Sang-Jeong.
Yi Hyeon-Il, strongly, interprets Four Clues and Seven Eomotion as
complementary relation, as compared with Yi Hwang in the political
and theoretical process of Kiho School diametrically. It is approved on
theory which interprets relation of Li and Ki as Not being mixed, and
‘Li issues’ is set up ‘Li issue’ Ki doesn’t act. It is result which strongly
interprets early thought of Yi Hwang who start Four Clues and Seven
Emotions as developing particularity of only Toegye’s Philosophy which
departs from fundamental theory of Zhuxi`s Philosophy. In comparison,
Yi Sang-Jeong admits critique of Yi Hyeon-Il that he see focused on
indignation, and keeps the latter thought of Yi Hwang’s theory of Four
Clues and Seven Emotions. Process which understands Seven Emotion
as issues of nature is accompanied, Yi Sang-Jeong doesn’t set up simply
Seven Emotion as complementary relation, and interprets expansively
relation of Li and Ki as the latter theory of Yi Hwang who refers to
Not being mixed in the condition which assumes Not being separated.
Thought of Yi Sang-Jeong who should see adequately indignation and
Honryun(渾淪) comes out with critical viewpoint for tendency which
inclines and is perverse and disorderly to one side. ‘Li issue’ has
meaning as aspect which Ki acts in quality as Li presides over and
controls. It differs from Yi Hyeon-Il’s ‘Li Issues’ that may interpret as
pure Li’s motility; understanding which adequates for ‘mutual
occurrence of Li and Ki’. Apparently, Yi Hyeon-Il and Yi Sang-Jeong
has characteristic as Toegye’s philosophy which emphasize activity of Li
through ‘Li and Ki Not being mixed’ and ‘Li issues’. But the substantial
contents were come out as a diverse prism. This the gap between their
positions is that which comes out minutely in debate process between
Yi Hwang and Gi Dae-Seong become to the surface.