「四端七情之辯」是朝鮮儒學史中最重要的一場辯論，這場辯論延續了五百年之久。辯論的雙方分別以李退溪與李栗谷為主要代表，形成日後的儒者在繼續辯論「四端七情」問題時之參照背景。田愚是朝鮮末期的儒者，屬於畿湖學派，在「四端七情」的問題上主要繼承李栗谷的觀點，而反駁李退溪的觀點。田愚像李栗谷一樣，主張(1)理不活動；(2)四端與七情為同質；(3)「氣發理乘一途」。因此，田愚反對李退溪的「理發氣隨」之說，而代之以「理主而氣配」之說。此外，田愚又編造出「退溪晚年定論」，以期彌縫李退溪與李栗谷的理論分歧，但此說在文獻與義理上均無法成立。

The debate over the ＂four buddings＂ and ＂seven feelings＂ is the most important intellectual dispute in the history of Korean Confucianism. It lasted for over five hundred years. The main points of contention involved in this debate are contained in the arguments advanced by Yi Toegye 李退溪 and Yi Yulgok 李栗谷. As a follower of Yi Yulgok, Jeon Woo 田愚 adhered to Yi Yulgok's interpretation of the ＂four buddings＂ and ＂seven feelings＂ and criticized Yi Toegye's interpretation of these issues. Jeon Woo, like Yi Yulgok, insisted on: 1) the non-activity of li 理; 2) the homogeneity of the ＂four buddings＂ and ＂seven feelings＂; and 3) the thesis that ＂qi 氣 issues and li directs it＂. For this reason, Jeon Woo put forward the thesis that ＂li is dominant and qi is submissive＂, instead of Yi Toegye's thesis that ＂li issues and qi follows it＂. In addition, Jeon Woo asserted that Yi Toegye had changed his position regarding the problem of the ＂four buddings＂ and ＂seven feelings＂ in his later years, with a view to reconciling the theoretical differences between the positions of Yi Toegye and Yi Yulgok. However, this assertion cannot be philologically or theoretically justified.