A Study on the Intersection and Gap of Three Confucianism Scholars in Yeungnam with Lee-Hwang Studying(退溪學)

This paper analyzed the theories of three representative Confucian scholars in the Yeongnam(嶺南) region: After the death of Lee-Hwang(이황: 1501-1570), Lee Hyun-il(이현일: 1627-1704), Lee Sang-jeong(이상정: 1711-1781), and Ryu Chi-myeong(류치명: 1777-1861). All three appeared every 100 years after Lee-Hwang’s death. And they all agreed to criticize the Lee-Yi(栗谷 李珥) theory in the Seoul and Gyeonggi(近畿) area. However, because the three were active in different times and conditions, the three defended Lee-Hwang(退溪 李滉) theory differently. Also, the logic of criticizing the Lee-Yi(栗谷 李珥) theory was very different. Lee Hyun-il(이현일) strongly criticized Lee-Yi(栗谷 李珥) theory, while Lee Sang-jeong (이상정) sought to compromise and harmonize with Lee-Yi(栗谷 李珥) theory. Ryu Chi-myeong (류치명) lived in a chaotic era at home and abroad, and considered traditional ideas to be threatened by external forces, so he armed himself with a strong critical logic.