Hong Taeyong

In this Korean name, the family name is Hong.

Hong Taeyong (Korean: 홍대용; Hanja: 洪大容; 12 May 1731 – 17 November 1783), art name Tamhŏn (담헌; 湛軒; lit. Relaxed House), was a philosopher, astronomer and mathematician of the late Joseon Kingdom.

Hong Taeyong
Born	(1731-05-12)12 May 1731 South Chungcheong Province, Joseon
Died	17 November 1783(1783-11-17) (aged 52) Hanseong, Joseon
Nationality	Joseon
Other names	Damheon
Notable work	Books of Relaxed House
Region	Korean Confucianism
School	Silhak
Notable ideas	Earth's rotation, Anti-Anthropocentrism

Hong Taeyong
Hangul	홍대용
Hanja	洪大容
Revised Romanization	Hong Daeyong
McCune–Reischauer	Hong Taeyong
Art name
Hangul	담헌
Hanja	湛軒
Revised Romanization	Damheon
McCune–Reischauer	Tamhŏn

Hong was an early leader of the Profitable Usage and Benefiting the People (이용후생파; 利用厚生派; Iyong Husaengpa) school of thought. It worked to promote the industrialization of his country and the development of trade by positively introducing Western technologies to Joseon Korea. Hong was a friend of Park Ji-won, who was another leader of the Profitable Usage school.

Early life

Hong Taeyong was born in 1731 in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province. In his early days, Hong was educated by Kim One-hang of Seock-sil Seowon. During this period, traditional Neo-Confucianism formed the basis of his academic world. In 1765, Hong followed his uncle Hong Eock (홍억; 洪檍), who was in Joseon missions to Imperial China. In China, Hong witnessed a brilliant development of Qing Dynasty and experienced culture shock. After returning to Joseon, Hong insisted enhancing the national prosperity.

Works

Hong was also interested in astronomy and mathematics. He maintained the rotundity of the Earth and Earth's rotation, which was rejected by Traditional Confucianists who thought the sky was globular and the ground was square. Also, He firmly rejected Anthropocentrism, thinking all things in nature are equal.

After failing the Gwageo a few times, Hong gave up and became absorbed in astronomy research. He wrote Catechism of Eusan mountain (의산문답; 醫山問答), which contains the concepts of Earth's rotation and the equality among species and the infinity of outer space. In mathematics, Hong wrote Interpretation and Usage of Mathematics (주해수용; 籌解需用). He also wrote Travel Essay of Yanjing in 1765 and 1766 (을병연행록; 乙丙燕行錄), a journal about his travel to China.

Crown Prince

In 1774, Hong was recommended for a mentor of Crown Prince, who afterwards would be King Jeongjo. Hong discussed many topics and themes with crown prince. Although Crown Prince was satisfied with Hong's studies and polymathy, Hong found their difference of views among several topics and the conservatism of Prince. Crown prince demanded Hong to go into government service and be his own staff members, but Hong indicated his refusal in a roundabout way. Hong wrote Journal as the Mentor of Crown Prince (계방일기; 桂坊日記), which contains their debate contents.

After crown prince ascended the throne following the passing of the King Yeongjo, Hong was appointed to local county governor. In there he tried to test his progressive ideas in local society. However, his mother's health condition deteriorated in 1782, so Hong abandoned a service and came back to Seoul. In 1783, mother regained her health, but Hong had a sudden stroke. He wouldn't make it by morning, and breathed his last breath the next day. It was 23 October 1783(Lunisolar calendar) as 17 November 1783(Solar calendar).

Legacy

Hong's works, including Catechism of Ui mountain, Interpretation and Usage of Mathematics, Journal as the Mentor of Crown Prince were compiled to collection, Books of Relaxed House (담헌서; 湛軒書). His practical Confucian ideas were succeeded by Park Ji-won and Park's disciples, but his scientific thought and research were succeeded by nobody.

External links

• (in Korean) Books of Relaxed House
  • (in Korean) Catechism of Ui Mountain
  • (in Korean) Journal as the Mentor of Crown Prince