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A Study on the Development of the Theory of Self-Cultivation of the Monarch in the Early Joseon Period

  • Journal of Humanities
  • 2022, (87), pp.41-74
  • DOI : 10.31310/HUM.087.02
  • Publisher : Institute for Humanities
  • Research Area : Humanities > Other Humanities
  • Received : October 4, 2022
  • Accepted : October 13, 2022
  • Published : November 30, 2022

Park Je Gyun 1

1성균관대학교

Accredited

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this paper is to examine the development of the theory of self-cultivation of the monarch in the early Joseon period. King Taejo, King Taejong, and King Sejo actively recognized the subjectivity and independence of the rulers’ mind and took the lead of government administration and gyeongyeon (經筵, royal academic discussions). In the case of King Jeongjong and King Sejong, they actively recognized the subjectivity and independence of the monarch, led government administration and gyeongyeon in consultation with the royal subjects, managed relatively stable state affairs, and felt the need for self-cultivation in terms of taking care of the mind (用心), so attending gyeongyeon was important. King Seongjong, along with King Sejong, rose to the ranks of the sage king as a result of conducting spiritual cultivation, academic discussions, and competition-based politics with his subjects through gyeongyeon that passively recognized and reestablished the subjectivity and independence of the monarch. This shows that, with regard to the theory of self-cultivation of the monarch in the early Joseon Dynasty, the perception of the connection and structure of the theory of the mind and of economy changed according to the changes in the ontological status of the mind.

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