최한기 崔漢綺
Late-Joseon practical-learning scholar and philosopher who synthesized the "science of ki" (氣學); pen name Hyegang
| Life | 1803 ~ 1879 |
| Era | 조선 후기 |
| Clan | 삭녕 최씨 |
Life & career
Choe Han-gi (1803-1879) was a late-Joseon practical-learning scholar, philosopher and geographer of the Sangnyeong Choe clan, with pen names Hyegang and Paedong. Born into a yangban family of Kaesong, he is said to have been raised in the house of his adoptive father Choe Gwang-hyeon, a military-examination graduate. He passed the 1825 preliminary examinations but never took office, devoting himself to study in Seoul.
He established the "science of ki" (gihak) and wrote the Singitong and Chucheukrok (bound as Gicheukcheui), the Injeong, Jigujeonyo and Seonggi Unhwa, among a reported thousand volumes. Sources give his death year as 1877 or 1879.
Origins and Lineage
He is described as a descendant of Choe Sa-ryeom of the Yeongi-gong branch of the Nangjang-gong line, a collateral relative of Chief State Councillor Choe Hang. He was born into a Kaesong yangban family and raised by his adoptive father Choe Gwang-hyeon. His exact generation in the branch was not confirmed.
Declining Office
He passed the 1825 preliminary examinations but gave up the idea of office after seeing flaws in the examination system, and is said to have refused offers from high officials. He collected books eagerly. In 1892 he was posthumously honored as Inspector-General and head of the Sungkyunkwan.
The Science of Ki and Western Learning
He placed ki above li and valued experience and evidence. Based on Chinese translations of Western books he introduced the heliocentric theory and the earth's rotation and revolution, published the world-geography work Jigujeonyo, and is also said to have helped Kim Jeong-ho with his maps.
Social Thought and the Opening of Ports
He argued that talent, not lineage, should decide appointments, and urged students to learn commerce, medicine and crafts. After 1863 he argued for opening ports to trade and in 1871 advised the Ganghwa commander Jeong Gi-won.
Grave
Tomb location not confirmed in this research.
Descendants
His son Choe Byeong-dae is said to have passed the higher civil examination in 1862.