Dasan

Dasan refers to a variety of concepts and entities, most notably a Korean surname and a historical figure. As a surname, Dasan is relatively uncommon but present in South Korea. It is associated with a lineage that can be traced back through various family registers.

Historically, Dasan is most famously the pen name of Jeong Yak-yong (1762-1836), a prominent Korean scholar, writer, and philosopher of the Joseon Dynasty. He was a leading figure of the Silhak (Practical Learning) movement, which emphasized empirical research and reform. Jeong Yak-yong was known for his extensive writings on a wide range of subjects, including Confucianism, politics, economics, science, and medicine. His intellectual contributions significantly influenced Korean thought and governance during his time and continue to be studied today. He spent many years in exile due to political persecution but remained intellectually productive throughout his life, producing a vast body of work that is considered a cornerstone of Korean intellectual history. His ideas often advocated for social justice and a more efficient administration.