몸의 소비: 조선전기의 인육치료

Abstract

In this article, I discussed the medical Cannibalism(人肉治療) patterns of the early Joseon Dynasty and traced the medical and historical background. And it analyzed how Neo-Confucianism s mindset came to dominate the bodies of the Joseon people by reviewing the controversy surrounding Medical Cannibalism in an ideological way. In Joseon, when the patients fell into a critical situation, people often responded with medical cannibalism such as Danji(斷指, Finger-cutting to heal patient) and Halgo(割股, Thigh-cutting to heal patient). Performing the Danji and Halgo when the family was ill was not an exceptional case but intentionally forced. In other words, Medical Cannibalism was a one-sided duty imposed on women, children, slaves and others who were socially disadvantaged groups. Instead, they were given economic and social rewards for medical cannibalism. On the other hand, the Joseon government chose a shocking method called Medical Cannibalism to encourage filial piety and chastity. The reason for the emphasis of Danji and Halgo through economic and social rewards and official records was to build the country of Neo-Confucianism, which is described as ‘Jitchie(至治, the Ultimate Governing Ideology)’. In short, Neo-Confucianism not only controlled the spirit of the Joseon people but also took control of their bodies.