The Great Synthesis of Wang Yangming Neo-Confucianism in Korea

"The Chosun dynasty of Korea (1392-1910) is a kingdom of Cheng Yi and Zhu Xi’s Neo-Confucianism, the school of human nature and principle. Chong Chedu (pen name, Hagok, 1649-1736), however, is one of the leading pioneers of Korean Wang Yangming school, the school of the mind. In this book, Edward Chung introduces and translates the Chonon, Chong’s philosophical masterpiece on Yangming Neo-Confucianism. The introduction is informative and the translation is clear and modern. This is an excellent and highly recommendable translation of such a rare but inspiring philosophical vision of Chong Chedu’s Yangming Neo-Confucianism." -- Bongrae Seok, Alvernia University

“This is the best book about Korean Yangming school available in English which introduces the most prominent Korean Yangming scholar Hagok’s creative interpretation of Wang Yangming.”

-- Young-Chan Ro, George Mason University
"An understanding of Korean Confucianism would be incomplete without comprehending the thoughts of the premier Korean Yangming school philosopher Hagok Chŏng Chedu, and thanks to Edward Y.J. Chung, finally Hagok’s major work is accessible in English. This meticulous translation of Hagok’s masterpiece Chonŏn (Testament) and substantial introduction to his thoughts is a groundbreaking and invaluable contribution to the field of Korean and Asian philosophy. Chung’s work signals the beginning of a new era of expanded research in Korean Confucianism in English." -- Jung-Yeup Kim, Kent State University
"This book has significantly contributed to Korean studies, especially the study of Korean philosophical tradition. Chung's delicate translation and commentary of Hagok Chŏng Chedu’s work, the Chonŏn 存言, offers an invaluable introduction to Korean Yangming Neo-Confucianism. This landmark contribution will promote advanced readings of Korean philosophy in the West in which the study of Cheng-Zhu school and Sirhak (Practical Learning) in Korean intellectual history has been dominant." -- Suk Gabriel Choi, Towson University
"This pioneering introduction to the philosophy of Chŏng Chedu illuminates the holism at the heart of traditional Korean thought. Providing the first substantial English-language translation of Chŏng’s writings, Edward Chung shows how Chŏng used the insights of Wang Yangming to clarify key concepts in the hegemonic philosophy of Zhu Xi. With his translation and analysis, Chung gives us an enlightening elaboration of what Chŏng actually thought." -- Donald Baker, University British Columbia