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A Cultural Pluralistic Reading of Mathematical Mechanics in Hwang Yun-seok’s Yisusinpyeon

  • Journal of Humanities, Seoul National University
  • 2023, 80(3), pp.255-291
  • DOI : 10.17326/jhsnu.80.3.202308.255
  • Publisher : Institute of Humanities, Seoul National University
  • Research Area : Humanities > Other Humanities
  • Received : July 11, 2023
  • Accepted : August 9, 2023
  • Published : August 31, 2023

Eom Yeonseok 1

1한림대학교

Accredited

ABSTRACT

This paper examines the characteristics of mathematical mechanics reflected in Yisusinpyeon by Hwang Yun-seok, Leejae, who actively accepted Western natural sciences in the late Joseon Dynasty but maintained the worldview of traditional Neo-Confucianism, through cultural pluralism. This point of view is highlighted in the paper. Furthermore, while accepting Western natural science and the astronomical calendar, he maintained the NeoConfucian worldview together, and examined the aspect of integrating the moral practice theory of traditional Confucianism and the natural sciences and practical studies of Western world. Hwang Yun-seok’s Yisusinpyeon revised and reedited Seongnidaejeon, which contained the metaphysical physics and morality of Neo-Confucianism, was the result of the demand of the times following the acceptance of Western natural sciences in Joseon. Hwang Yun-seok understood the body of the metamorphic and the action of the sub-metamorphic as a whole with continuity and an organic connection. This is meant to embrace the plural aspects of the phenomenal world by seeking universal principles in the diverse changes of the particular phenomenal world. He regards the Five Elements and the Eight Trigrams as having continuity, which he tried to explain the various meanings of the number of degrees formed from the Five Elements and the Eight Trigrams through the medium of the change in nature. Hwang Yun-seok embraced cultural diversity by emphasizing understanding of the geographic characteristics of different regions of the world. The description of these geographical characteristics has implications for cultural pluralism. His Yisuyeokhak is basically oriented toward the moral goal of traditional Confucianism and Neo-Confucianism. He valued the recognition of the empirical scientific laws of the natural world as a natural basis for his moral goals. Therefore, his mathematics has the meaning of exploring empirical and practical means to achieve a moral and political ideal society. In short, the significance of Hwang Yun-seok’s academic orientation through the compilation of Yisusinpyeon can be found in that he tried to construct a consistent system by having the moral worldview of traditional Confucianism and Neo-Confucianism, modern practicality and natural science in parallel or continuity. The system of Yisusinpyeon has the purpose of actively accepting special and diverse cultures such as Western science, cultural relics, and East Asian culture based on the metaphysical natural sciences and morals of traditional Neo-Confucianism and the Yisuyeokhak of the Book of Changes, which has cultural pluralistic implications.

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This paper was written with support from the National Research Foundation of Korea.
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