• The Journal of Korean Philosophical History
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• no.54
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• pp.43-75
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• 2017

This paper is to examine how Joseon intellectuals understood $g{\check{u}}$(古) and $j{\bar{i}}n$(今) and how its history consequently changed. It is to take a macroscopic view focusing on differences of different schools. Understanding of '$g{\check{u}}$' and '$j{\bar{i}}n$' directly and indirectly affected academia, art and even politics throughout Joseon dynasty. As different scholars and schools distinctively understood $g{\check{u}}$ and $j{\bar{i}}n$, issues of tradition and creation; conservatism and progressivism and; ideal and reality were deeply discussed. Those discussions greatly and historically contributed to making changes in politics and society as well. A cultural tradition of emphasizing '$g{\check{u}}$' took a deep root in overall Joseon society. Meanwhile, understanding of '$j{\bar{i}}n$(今)' or '$x{\bar{i}}n$(新)' was required with changes of times. as When people thought the reality is confusing or corrupt, they adopted restoration(復古) which means to go back to basis as the slogan. Awareness in $g{\check{u}}$ and $j{\bar{i}}n$ served as a drive to change the society. However, they never lifted their voices for '$j{\bar{i}}n$' or '$x{\bar{i}}n$,' abandoning '$g{\check{u}}$'. Criticism on '$g{\check{u}}$' was merely for criticizing being bound by '$g{\check{u}}$,' not targeting '$g{\check{u}}$' itself. '$J{\bar{i}}n$' actually was a dependent variable of '$g{\check{u}}$.' It is a dichotomous view to consider '$g{\check{u}}$' as conservatism and '$j{\bar{i}}n$' as progressivism.