공존(共存)과 공감(共感)의 근거: 인(仁)

Abstract

This paper has laid stress on the Confucian core concept of Ren(仁) whose meaning has been expanded in several ways through the history of Confucianism. There are myriad beings at the same time in the world, of course including human being. The relationship between them implies the human relationship, the relationship between human and the other things in the world. Confucianism has considered these various relationships. Therefore the concept of Ren includes the principle of love of human beings, the co-relationship between the world and human being, and the universal principle of beings and oughtness. Confucius and Mencius have indicated the principle of love so that they have established the ethical fundament of Confucianism. In Han and Tang Dynasty, Confucian scholars have insisted that there were the co-related structure between the world and human being. Furthermore Neo-Confucianism in Northern Song Dynasty has explained that Ren had the meaning as the universal principle of being and oughtness. Confucian metaphysical thoughts have been gotten wider and deeper than before. Following the philosophical trends, the meaning of Ren also has been expanded. Therefore Confucianism has theoretically systemized the theory of between the world and the myriad things including human being. The concept of Ren implies co-existence, sharing, and sympathy in itself.