Born in the early years of the Joseon dynasty (1392-1910), at a time when Confucianism was displacing Buddhism as the central social, philosophical, and institutional source of power, Kim Si-seup (1435-1493) belonged to a family which had secured a hold in the Confucian-based power structure and, naturally, was given an education in Confucian philosophy and ethics with the expectation he would take a position high in the ranks of government service...