Scholar of the Toegye school who lived in retirement at Beopcheon, Wonju; author of the Udamjip and Sanjung Ilgi; pen name Udam
| Life | 1625 ~ 1707 |
| Era | 조선 후기 |
| Clan | 나주 정씨 |
Jeong Si-han (丁時翰, 1625-1707) was a late Joseon scholar from Naju, with courtesy name Gunik and pen name Udam. Born in Seoul, he was a great-grandson of Inspector-General Jeong Yun-bok; his father was Governor Jeong Eon-hwang and his mother a daughter of Jo Jeong-rip, Hongmungwan Jikjehak, of the Hoengseong Jo. The Encyclopedia of Korean Culture introduces him as a Neo-Confucian scholar who left works including Imorok, Manrok and Sanjung Ilgi.
He moved to Beopcheon in Wonju, Gangwon Province, and shunned office all his life. He befriended Yi Hyeon-il and Yi Yu-jang and trained younger scholars; recommended for his learning as Inspector (Jibui) and Seonggyungwan Saeop, he declined both. In 1690 (16th year of Sukjong) he submitted the 'Man-eon so' memorial with six proposals, angering the king and losing his rank; he later took the post of Jinseon to the Crown Prince. In 1691, during the Gisa purge, he petitioned that the deposition of Queen Inhyeon was wrong and was again stripped of office; in 1696 he is said to have opposed lowering Lady Jang from queen to royal concubine.
In his scholarship he analysed Yi Hwang's theory of principle and material force and the Four-Seven debate, developing the view that principle is master and material force its aide, and in 'Sachil byeonjeung' criticised Yi I's theory in 41 points. In 1700-1702 he debated with his disciple Yi Sik for three years over whether human and animal natures are the same, a debate later regarded as a forerunner of the Horak dispute. The encyclopedia notes that Jeong Yak-yong ranked him with Jeong Gu and Jang Hyeon-gwang as a truly pure Confucian scholar.
The Sanjung Ilgi records his travels to famous mountains and temples across the country from 1686 to 1688. He died in 1707 (33rd year of Sukjong) and was enshrined after death at Gwangamsa in Wonju. His disciples included Yi Sik, Hwang Su-il, Yi Man-bu and Gwon Du-gyeong, and his great-great-grandson was Minister of Punishments Jeong Beom-jo.
Recommended for his learning as Inspector and Seonggyungwan Saeop, he declined both. Yet when Sukjong's reign was shaken he stated his views through memorials, for which he lost his rank at times.
In 'Sachil byeonjeung' he opposed Yi I's ideas of principle penetrating and material force confined, and of material force alone issuing, defending Yi Hwang's view that principle issues. This links to the clash then between the Westerners' Yulgok school and the Southerners' Toegye school.
From 1700 to 1702 he debated with his disciple Yi Sik whether human and animal natures are the same. He argued that they differ, and the debate is seen as a precursor of the Horak dispute.
A record of his visits to famous mountains and temples from 1686 to 1688, it is a travel diary written on the road.
The tomb location was not confirmed here. The clan association and the encyclopedia say he was enshrined at Gwangamsa in Wonju.
His father was Jeong Eon-hwang. The clan association's exam list records his son Jeong Do-gyeom in the 1660 civil examination. His great-great-grandson Jeong Beom-jo rose to Minister of Punishments.