燕巖 朴趾源의 北學論과 개혁적 성격

Abstract

Bak Ji-Won who was born into a legitimate Roron family in 1737 had in-depth relationships with Dae-yong Hong who was one of the most famous practical scientists at that time in addition to Deok-mu Lee who was an offspring of a concubine, Deuk-gong Yu and Je-ga Park while fighting against outdated ideologies espoused by the upperclass bureaucracy and Confucian scholars. He also traveled to China as a members of an envoy while widening knowledge about practical science. In his book titled Yeolhailgi, he pointed out outdated ideology espoused by the gentry of the Joseon Dynasty and laughed at incompetent people preoccupied with outrageous moral justification in the form of a novel while arguing for the introduction of sophisticated culture of Ching Dynasty including practical science and technology that could be a great help to public welfare. It aimed to stabilize the livelihood of the people by worsening social contradiction and realize prosperity of the nation. Toward this end, it criticized the theory of the civilized and the barbarians while recognizing the practical innovativeness of Ching culture and the advancement and spread of the Han (Chinese) culture under the rule of Ching. Bak Ji-Won's theory on practical innovation did not insist abolishing a status system based on realistic view of the world where contradicting reality at the end of the 18th century was accurately perceived, but he argued for noble men's contribution to industries as intellectual strongly criticizing then men of noble birth who mostly led an idle life. He also argued for Hanjeonje aimed to limit land ownership to a certain degree as a part of land reform while pushing for the development of handicraft and trade at home and abroad. It led to Bukhak Thoughts that argued for the introduction of advanced science although it originated from barbarians in an effort to reject blinded worship of Ming Dynasty. Although the Bukhak Thoughts were not applied in reality, but their Riyonghusaengron carried a positive significance in that it took the initiative in resolving various contradictions facing the national history.