맹자(孟子)의 개혁적 정치성향과 제 선왕(齊 宣王)의 양심(良心) 구명(究明) -맹자거제(孟子去齊)를 중심으로-

Abstract

This study set out to demonstrate that it was the conscience of King Xuan of Zhou that let Mencius go even though he asked him many questions about benevolent government and royal politics and discussed the affairs of the state including diplomacy and war, depending on him. For this purpose, the study analyzed his 15 questions to Mencius and demonstrated that "Tangmu Revolution" that he mentioned to King Xuan was an opportunity for the king to recognize the people and that the idea of ‘Minguigungyeong(民貴君輕)’ would result in a revolution theory according to the benevolence and righteousness of a monarch. King Xuan asked questions about benevolent government and royal politics to Mencius, but he hid his greed of wishing to be a king of kings. Being embarrassed about it, he confessed his liking for "courage, wealth, and women." He finally visited Mencius when he was about to leave Zhou. He became embarrassed after meeting Mencius at the time of parting and accordingly expressed his will for "hospitable treatment" to him a few days later, which indicates his conscience. What Mencius wanted from him was, however, that he would make a determination about royal politics and practice it to save people from poverty and war. Knowing what he wanted, King Xuan was not able to hold him till the end. It was due to his conscience that he let Mencius go in the end.