Neo-Confucian scholar who debated the Four-Seven theory with Yi Hwang for eight years; pen name Gobong, posthumous title Munheon
| Life | 1527 ~ 1572 |
| Era | 조선 전기 |
| Clan | 행주 기씨 |
Gi Dae-seung (奇大升, 1527-1572) was an early Joseon official and Neo-Confucian scholar of the Haengju Gi from Naju. Courtesy name Myeongeon, pen names Gobong and Jonjae, posthumous title Munheon. His father was Gi Jin, brother of Gi Jun; he served as Director of the Sungkyunkwan, Grand Remonstrator and Vice-Minister of Works.
On his way to the 1558 examination he met Kim In-hu and Yi Hang and discussed the Taiji theory, then passed the same year. After reading Yi Hwang's Diagram of the Heavenly Mandate he visited Yi Hwang, and they corresponded for twelve years.
The Four-Seven debate of 1559-1566, eight years of exchanges, is regarded as having profoundly shaped Joseon Confucianism. Gi argued that the Four Sprouts and Seven Emotions are all feelings, stressing the role of ki against Yi Hwang's emphasis on li. His court lectures were collected as Nonsarok.
He fell out with Chief State Councillor Yi Jun-gyeong in 1570, was appointed envoy on the Jonggye pedigree issue in 1572, and died on his way home after leaving office through illness. He was given the title Munheon in 1646 and enshrined at Wolbong Seowon in Gwangju; the printing blocks of his collected works are Gwangju Tangible Cultural Heritage No. 19, kept by the Haengju Gi family.
His eight years of letters with Yi Hwang from 1559 to 1566 survive as Yangseonsaeng Wangbokseo and count as a landmark of Joseon Neo-Confucianism.
He is enshrined at Wolbong Seowon in Gwangsan-gu, whose lecture hall Bingwoldang is a designated monument.
He is enshrined at Wolbong Seowon in Gwangju; his printing blocks are kept by the Haengju Gi family at Gwangsan-dong.
His son Gi Hyo-jeung published Yangseonsaeng Wangbokseo in 1614.