미수(眉叟) 허목(許穆)의 「춘추설(春秋說)」 연구

Abstract

This study is to find and organize the materials that Heo Mok referred to while writing 「Chunchuseol(春秋說, A Commentary on the Spring and Autumn Annals)」 and to examine what is ‘the Great righteousness of Chunchu(春秋大義)’ he says. Heo Mok wrote 「Gyeongseol(經說, A Commentary on the Scriptures of Confucianism)」 by abbreviating old writings he had read for more than 50 years. And he presented it to King Sukjong(肅宗). The meaning of his present of that book contained the expectation that the young king will emulate the teachings of the saints in the old writings and carry out great politics. In 「Chunchuseol」, one of the 「Gyeongseol」, his thoughts on 『Chunchu(春秋)』 are completely contained. First, he mentions the fact that Confucius conveys the teachings of the old saints to posterity through 『Chunchu』. And, he explains 『Chunchu』 is a sacred discourse to cultivate the benevolence and righteousness, and expose the principles of humanity. He is also says that in an era when the principles of royal politics(王道) disappears and ‘the poetry’ could not play a role, 『Chunchu』 can be played the role of the scriptures of Confucianism. Continually, he proposes ‘the Great righteousness of Chunchu’ in three categories: the consciousness of respect for the King(尊君意識), the value of the benevolence and righteousness(仁義), and the idea of Great unification(大一統) reflecting the special characteristics of Joseon. Then, in accordance with the teachings of 『Chunchu』, he argues that the people should cultivate the benevolence and righteousness, formulate the principles of humanity, implement the principles of heaven and stabilize the principles of the earth. Through the process of finding the various old writings and checking the context that Heo Mok referred to while writing 「Chunchuseol」, I was able to find a glimpse of what kind of situational awareness he had and what kind of responses to the situation at that time he did. In particular, through the expressions that differ slightly from those of the old writings he referred, I was able to confirm that he suggested the possibility of developing from the Chinese-centered Great unification ideas of the Spring and Autumn Period to the Great unification ideas of reflecting the special characteristics of Joseon. The challenge of Joseon in the 17th century was to overcome the impoverished people’s livelihood due to severe war, constant political turmoil, and frequent natural disasters. What was confirmed through this study is the countermeasures of Heo Mok, a responsible intellectual of that period who has to overcome such temporal and spatial challenges. It was the effort to establish a stable political system based on the benevolence and righteousness through the strengthening of the royal authority and ultimately solve the chaotic times situation.