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영어

From the standpoint of view of "Silhak"(實學) all the systems of government after "Three ancient dynasties"(三代) including the "principle" of royal ancestor(祖宗之法) was regarded as degenerate and as expressive of egotistic avarice of the ruller. So Silhak found their ideal model of government system not in the neo-Confusianistic government system but in the rule of ancient sage kings and proposed an alternative system of government to realize it.

Silhak tried to read Confucian Classics in a radical way stressing positive aspect of human mentality, which is through of a interpretation of good originality establishing a new concept of man through the denial of conservative one. Also finally Silhak reached the conclusion that history would progress. Their progressionism was inferred from the insight that technology in all the field of human society would progress according to increased complexity of human society through continual intercommunications. Silhak is explained to hold a strong conviction that historical progression is determinate.

We cannot conclude that their theory of national reform was practically applicable in their time, but their theory was historically significant because it invented the alternative system of government guaranteed by objective and distinct standard for its actualization. Their theory on nation and a government is accepted as more advanced one than before.