孝思想의 本質과 韓國的 展開

Abstract

This paper explores the essence of Hyo(孝) (filial piety) ideology in The Analects of Confucius(論語) and its Korean appropriation. Needless to say, Hyo is one of the core values of Confucius ideology. Confucianism makes 'Hyoje(孝悌) (filial piety and brotherly love)' the beginning of its morality and it is centered around Hyo, Je, Chung (royalty), Sin (faith) or Yin (generosity), Ŭi (trust), Ye (propriety), Ji (knowledge). That Hyo is the foundation of every morality in Confucian ethics has been constant from the ancient Confucianism to the present and it is about learning the Tao(道) (way) and Li(里) (principle) of the human conduct. Especially, Hyo is not just subservient obedience or sumptuous material support but should become Chungsim(衷心) and Sŏngsim(誠心) out of natural human sentiments. With those pure sentiments and emotions, Hyo came to be based on the natural truth that reaches for the universal humanism and respect for life. Therefore, the question is about the praxis of 'what one should do,' not about the theory of 'what is hyo?' Therefore, Confucius emphasized the sense of respect out of heart rather than the material support. Given that Hyo is the reciprocatory gratitude of a child to its parents' giving a life and raising one, there was a concept of Hyo before the transmission of Confucianism from China that could be witnessed in the tombs or remnants of our ancestors. Yet, as Confucianism was transmitted from China, the concept of Hyo was systematized, especially in the late Koryo period through the introduction of Neo-Confucianism and came to have profound impact on our cultural civilization.