다산(茶山)의 인성교육 연구- 「가계(家誡)」를 중심으로 -

Abstract

This paper seeks to examine Korean educational environment with critical eyes and study the importance of education on humanity and its pedagogy. During the exile period, Dasan wrote about his family motto called 'family caution' over a period of three years and sent it to his two sons. What kind of message did Dasan mean to deliver out of desperation not knowing whether he could ever return to his family? How did he express his sincere feelings as a father who was exiled as a prisoner? How did he deliver life lessons he learned from real life politics and complex human relationship? In pursuit of finding answers to these questions, this paper reviews the book "family caution" by different time period and topics. Dasan's humanity education can be summed up in the following four characteristics. First, it is down-to-earth. Dasan is frank about failures he experienced in the past whenever he tries to discipline his two sons. He is not in the least patriarchal as the head of household. He simply conveyed the truth as it is. Second, it is very practical. Dasan's education is described in such detail and is realistic in its approach. The book illustrates three elements and expression method of poetry in detail when he teaches about poetry. It clearly discerns parts that require and do not require research when teaching about writings. He came up with real life examples of respected figures of his time to help his sons better understand about character building. Third, it shows desperateness. His two sons less than 20 years of age could not but fall into despair in facing their uncle's death, their father's absence and political stigma. Dasan tries to discipline his sons out of desperation facing the risk of collapse of the ninth Ok-Dang(玉堂) family lineage and becoming descendents of a prisoner who passed away dishonorably. Fourth, it has a long-term perspective. Dasan believed that the order of universe is cyclical. Accordingly, he believed that political and religious suppression he had to endure would come to an end some day. Therefore, he emphasized that one should overcome wrath and endure the pain with a long-term perspective however unjust the situation may be.