Understanding Silhak: A Truly Korean Style

Silhak (실학) was a teaching that was once very famous in the Joseon Dynasty, in Korea. Sil means "actual" or "practical," and hak means "studies" or "learning". It also meant "practical learning", like teaching how to farm and about economy. Silhak was first made when the Joseon Dynasty was having a hard time, and after Japan had made war with them. The people of Korea were very poor, and their economical situation was not good. Also, all the farmland had grown barren and it was very hard to farm. To prevent all of this trouble, instead of learning neo-Confucianism, some philosophers decided that a new education should be made to help the poor, and they named it Silhak.

What is Silhak?

a. the most sacred of all Korean instruments
b. a truly Korean style that emphasizes the study of things Korean
c. a traditional Korean male hat
d. the Korean word for picnic
Please select the best answer from the choices provided A B C D

Answer:

Letter b. a truly Korean style that emphasizes the study of things Korean

Explanation:

Silhak (실학) was a teaching that was once very famous in the Joseon Dynasty, in Korea. Sil means "actual" or "practical," and hak means "studies" or "learning". It also meant "practical learning", like teaching how to farm and about economy. Silhak was first made when the Joseon Dynasty was having a hard time, and after Japan had made war with them. The people of Korea were very poor, and their economical situation was not good. Also, all the farmland had grown barren and it was very hard to farm. To prevent all of this trouble, instead of learning neo-Confucianism, some philosophers decided that a new education should be made to help the poor, and they named it Silhak.

What is Silhak?

Silhak is a truly Korean style that emphasizes the study of things Korean.