A foundation of thought in「Hojil」

This article has studied on what kind of values one will possess upon reading the piece Hojil(호질) through the history of idea flow in the 17th century-18th century. Joseon in this periodwent through efforts for ideological changes and in particular, the rise of Wang Yangming philosophy needs close attention. The reason for this is that as Confucianism, which supported Joseon, started to fall, it is the period when Wang Yangming philosophy started becoming recognized as an official philosophy to substitute Confucianism. As this history of idea flow acts as element of foundation of the piece, it has a special meaning. In the pieceare two characters who establish a tense relationship. In the piece, the tiger and Bugoaseonsaeng(북곽선생)rule the world with clear distinctions and try to meet each other but fails. The process of the two characters trying to meet and the result holds important narrative form of the piece. Such trait can be seen when the tiger reproves humans. Such characteristic can be seen as the tiger is shown criticizing Bugoaseonsaeng (북곽선생), using words that were used in ideological issues. The tiger criticizes the human world based on Wang Yangming ideology. Bugoaseonsaeng (북곽선생), who hears that criticism, has ideas based on Confucianism. Such Bugoaseonsaeng (북곽선생), based on Confucianism, has nothing to say against the tiger’s Wang Yangming philosophical criticism. The two worlds meeting and trying to make up but failing has much to do with the history of idea flows. The reason that two worlds, Confucianism and Wang Yangming philosophy, in this piece seems to be the result of ideological situation that took place in Joseon in the 17th century-18th century. Thus, the introduction and development of Wang Yangming philosophy acts as an important ideological foundation making up the piece.