Neo-Confucian philosopher who built a philosophy of li on the principle of 'one principle, many manifestations'; pen name Nosa, posthumous title Mungan
| Life | 1798 ~ 1879 |
| Era | 조선 후기 |
| Clan | 행주 기씨 |
Gi Jeong-jin (奇正鎭, 1798-1879) was a late-Joseon Neo-Confucian philosopher of the Haengju Gi from Sunchang, with the original name Gi Geum-sa, courtesy name Daejung, pen name Nosa and posthumous title Mungan. The Encyclopedia of Korean Culture lists his key works as the essays on 'Fixing' and on 'Penetration of li', the Nosajip and the Damun Yupyeon.
He moved to Hanam in Jangseong in 1815 after his parents died. He was offered posts from 1832 onward, including royal tomb keeper and, as a recommended scholar of the reclusive class, Royal Kitchen deputy in 1837, but declined them all, as he did later appointments such as magistrate of Mujang and Inspector-General.
His thought was not inherited from a teacher but worked out independently from Song Neo-Confucianism, and he is credited with overcoming the 300-year dispute between li-centered and ki-centered schools through a philosophy of li based on the principle of 'one principle, many manifestations'. When French forces attacked in 1866 he submitted the 'Six-Article Memorial', later seen as the theoretical basis of the Defend-Orthodoxy movement. He built the Damdaeheon study in Jangseong in 1878 and died in 1879. Gosan Seowon, founded in 1927, honors him; his grandson Gi U-man carried on his teaching.
He built an original philosophy that overcame the li versus ki dispute through the principle of one principle, many manifestations.
His 1866 'Six-Article Memorial' on defense against foreign attack is seen as the theoretical basis of the Defend-Orthodoxy movement.
He is enshrined at Gosan Seowon in Jangseong; the epitaph was written by Jeong Jae-gyu in 1906.
His grandson Gi U-man became a volunteer commander, and Gi Sam-yeon was among his disciples.