• The Journal of Korean Philosophical History
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• no.42
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• pp.165-195
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• 2014

This paper aims to examine the meaning of 'Xuan(玄)' in the cosmology and astronomy, especially in the view of Yang-xiong(揚雄) and Ge-hong(葛洪). The cosmology of the ancient China has opened a discussion about the Tian(天), through the discussion about the celestial structure, the structure and the location relation of the heaven & earth, in the Han-dynasty has been found a systematic theory. But in the ancient Chinese philosophy, the cosmology has been developed in the field of the astronomy & the Oriental calendar. In this context, Yang-xiong(揚雄) and Ge-hong(葛洪) have founded the system of the cosmology, it is as in the following. First, Yang-xiong criticized sharply the theory of Gaitian(蓋天說) and advanced the theory of Huntian(渾天說). And Ge-hong support the theory of Huntian(渾天說) and also accepted the theory of Xuanye(宣夜說). Second, Yang-xiong(揚雄) and Ge-hong(葛洪)'s cosmology is regarded as the theoretical premise of their cosmogony. As the discussion about the celestial structure, the structure and the location relation of the heaven & earth, both scholar discussed about the cause of creation, the differentiation process. And in the this context, they founded the cosmology as the concept 'Xuan'. Third, the concept 'Xuan' in the both scholar forms a philosophical system. Yang-xiong insisted that the concept 'Xuan' is the basis of the universe, the human-being and the society. While through realizing the concept 'Xuan', Ge-hong tried to pursue the human-being's agelessness and the eternal life. In this way, their view point of the cosmology is comprised of cosmogony & astronomy. With this perspective, they are going to found the system of their own philosophy.