최명길의 「중용관견」에 나타난 경학적 특징과 문화다원론적 지평

Abstract

This Essay attempted to clarify the chinese classics features and pluralistic horizons seen ii Choi Myeonggil's Understanding of the Mean through the theory of political expediency, theory of change and diplomatic relations. And in this paper, writer examined the theoretical moments in which the classics viewpoint of Understanding of the Mean concretely realized and to examine how these theoretical systems embraced the plural horizon of reality. Choi Myeonggil put the ultimate goal maintaining balance of policy according to classics foundation and the theory of political expediency on public welfare stability. This means that he considered not theoretical philosophical metaphysics but the life of the general people in concrete reality as fundamental consequence of study. He viewed virtue in side revealed by practice in daily life unlike Zhu Xi regarding 'the golden mean' meaning timeliness as principle[理] of balance without excess and deficiency, bias and spirit. His thinking is not a metaphysical principle, but a direction to embrace a special and pluralistic situation in reality. He said that things which do not correspond to reality or ambiguous among several regulations of Gyeonggukdaejeon[경국대전] and Soklock[續錄] must be modified and be fit to the occasion of the times, and must supplement necessary part. This opinion means that Choi Myeonggil emphasized a composition of institutional strategies according to concrete and special circumstances than the universal idea of ethics and morality. Moreover, this manifests that pluralistic implications are involved in his administration theory.