壺山 朴文鎬의 「論語集註序說詳說」에 나타난 經學 方法論

Abstract

While writing the Collected Annotations on the Analects (Seoseol Sangseol), Hosan Park Moon-ho, a late-Joseon scholar, articulated his beliefs about his approach to studying Confucianism. His work reflects the socio political context of the late Joseon Dynasty and the Japanese colonial period. The collection includes not only annotations from major Chinese scholars after Zhu Xi but also the doctrines of prominent Neo-Confucian figures in Joseon, such as Ryu Song-jo, Song Si-yeol, Kim Jang-saeng, and Yi I, along with Park Moon-ho’s own perspectives. This makes the work valuable not only for understanding Confucian thought but also as a resource that captures the context, lineage, and evolution of Neo-Confucianism in the Joseon Dynasty, particularly within the Giho School tradition. In the Collected Annotations, Park Moon-ho outlines a sequence for studying Confucian classics, beginning with the Analects of Confucius, followed by Mencius, Great Learning, the Doctrine of the Mean, Classic of Poetry, Changes of Zhou, and Book of Shang. This order differs from the approach of most Confucian scholars, who typically began with the Great Learning. He emphasized three key principles when studying the Confucian texts. First, he sought to grasp the true meaning of Zhu Xi’s annotations through meticulous analysis of the characters and phrases. Second, he aimed to make Zhu Xi’s teachings accessible to novice scholars by clarifying the original meaning of the text. Third, by examining the Records of the Grand Scribe—one of sources Zhu Xi referred to—he sought to correct typographical errors in Zhu Xi’s notes, verify facts, and better understand Zhu Xi’s intentions. This approach not only represents a rigorous method for interpreting Confucian texts but also reflects Park Moon-ho’s commitment to making these teachings more comprehensible for beginners. Park Moon-ho advocated for interpreting the scriptures using the orthodox perspectives of Cheng Zi and Zhu Xi, which were relatively accessible at the time. He championed Neo-Confucianism, the foundation of Joseon Confucianism, and compiled his annotations through the lens of the Horon worldview. This effort contributed to solidifying a sense of national identity and pride, resistant to external influences. Throughout his life, he devoted himself to discerning and developing the core principles of Confucianism. His interpretations represent a significant rediscovery of Confucian commentaries at the transition to the modern era and serve as a comprehensive compilation of Horon-based interpretations of Confucian scriptures.