Analysis of Seongho Yi Ik’s Theory of Cognition

The theory of cognition of Yi Ik was constructed in response to Kim Chang-hyeop, who separated cognition from morality by distinguishing between psychological energy and physical energy. Yi Ik reinterpreted Yi Hwang’s theory of mutual manifestation by making a distinction between psychological and physical energy, but developed a counterargument to Kim Chang-hyeop’s separation of cognition from morality. First, taking advantage of the Western medicine introduced by Adam Schall for connecting psychological and physical energy, Yi Ik insisted that the brain, which belonged to physical energy, could control the lower level cognitions like reflex action and sense perception. However, according to him, since mind, which was made of psychological energy, supervised all the processes of cognition by the principle of human nature, psychological energy and physical energy were interrelated. Second, in contrast with Kim Chang-hyeop, he reconnected cognition to wisdom as the source of moral consciousness and the intellectual virtue that could operate cognitive abilities. Although Yi Ik partially accepted the naturalism and psychologism of the Yulgok School, his theory can be considered a response of the Toegye School to Kim Chang-hyeop and a creative theory of cognition and morality integration.

keywords: Seongho Yi Ik, cognition (jigak), wisdom (ji), psychological energy (simgi), physical energy (hyeonggi), Kim Chang-hyeop, theory of mind (simseol)

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Article Contents

Vol.56 No.3

Analysis of Seongho Yi Ik’s Theory of Cognition

Abstract

Reference

Korea Journal