Ihajin's Parenting Methods

Ihajin, the Father of Seongho Yi Ik

Ihajin (李夏鎭) was a high-ranking official during the late Joseon Dynasty, serving as the Chief Inspector (Dae-sahon) and father of Yi Ik (李瀷). Yi Ik, a notable late Joseon scholar, was influential in promoting practical learning (silhak) and significantly impacted later figures such as Jeong Yak-yong (丁若鏞). Ihajin served under three kings, holding positions such as the Chief Royal Secretary before becoming the Chief Inspector, but was demoted to the magistrate of Jinju due to King Sukjong’s displeasure and was ultimately exiled, where he passed away. Known for his exceptional talent in poetry, Ihajin also dedicated himself to the education of his children. Let’s explore his methods of educating his children.

Ihajin’s Son, Yi Ik

Diverse Books Broaden Perspectives

During his tenure as Chief Inspector, Ihajin visited Qing China and brought back a variety of books. These included works on Western studies, astronomy, mathematics, and Catholicism that were difficult to obtain in Joseon. These books later helped broaden his son Yi Ik’s horizons. Yi Ik chose not to pursue an official career and instead focused on independent scholarship, eventually compiling the Seongho Saseol (星湖僿說), which greatly influenced the development of silhak. The diverse books that Ihajin brought from Qing became tools for his children to expand their worldviews and gain early exposure to new knowledge.

Learning Through Nature and Books

Yi Ik was born a year after Ihajin was exiled. Due to his frail health as a child, his mother allowed him to spend time playing freely, avoiding books. Ihajin encouraged his children to explore nature, observe various phenomena, and gain scientific knowledge through reading. Although Yi Ik did not receive direct instruction from his father, he was taught by his half-brother Yi Jam (李潛), who was 20 years older. Following their father’s teachings, Yi Jam emphasized the importance of experiential learning and taught Yi Ik that knowledge should be acquired through real-world experiences. Yi Ik adhered to this guidance, studying under various mentors and eventually developing his silhak philosophy.

 

Ihajin, who reached the position of Chief Inspector—equivalent to the president of a top university today—spared no expense in purchasing new books for the education of his children. He instilled in them the principle of verifying natural phenomena through scientific inquiry and books. His son, Yi Ik, later established a scholarly approach that profoundly influenced subsequent generations.

 

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