Seohak was the introduction of technology, philosophy and most prominently,
Catholicism and Western ideas to
Joseon Korea in the 18th century. It is also occasionally referred to as
Cheonjuhak which means 'Heavenly Learning'. Literally meaning "western learning", Seohak's antonym was
Donghak , or "eastern learning", which featured
neo-Confucianism and other traditional ways of thought.