군사(君師)의 관점으로 보는 정조(正祖)의 대학(大學) 해석의 이해 ― 경사강의⋅대학(經史講義⋅大學)을 중심으로 ―

Abstract

This paper aims to explore King Jeongjo's (reigned: 1776-1800) understanding of the Great Learning (『大學』) from the perspective of Gunsa (君師). King Jeongjo's comprehension of the Confucian Classics has consistently been recognized as crucial in the study of Confucian Classical thought during the late Joseon Dynasty. Existing research commonly asserts that King Jeongjo's Confucian Classics(經學) exhibit the influence of Jujahak(朱子學) scholarship rooted in Confucian scriptures(經傳). To provide a more detailed examination of King Jeongjo's ideologies, this study specifically focuses on the discussions presented in Gyeongsa-Gangui⋅The Great Learning(『經史講義⋅大學』) aiming to elucidate Jeongjo's political philosophy. The Great Learning serves as a significant source for studying both Yuga's political philosophy and Jujahak's worldview. Through King Jeongjo's understanding of Gunsa, these aspects can be more thoroughly examined and elucidated. King Jeongjo's interpretation of The Great Learning as Gunsa encompassed the notion of the compassionate governance(愛民) ideology. He sought to identify the principles of realpolitik within The Great Learning and applied them to his governance efforts. Simultaneously, King Jeongjo's interpretation of The Great Learning as a scholar was closely tied to his academic characteristics. He maintained a scholarly mindset of continuous questioning, analysis, and skepticism, as evidenced by the interrogative nature of the questions in Gyeongsa-Gangui⋅The Great Learning. Furthermore, the sequencing of the questions in Gyeongsa-Gangui⋅The Great Learning aligns with the order of Zhu Xi's Daehakjanggu(『大學章句』), illustrating the interplay between King Jeongjo's scholarly inclinations and the scholarly outlook inherited from Jujahak. King Jeongjo's interpretation of the Great Learning as Gunsa exhibits a distinct characteristic that highlights both the perspective of a ruler and that of a scholar. This enabled us to explore the intricate relationship between King Jeongjo's inheritance of Jujahak scholarship and his political philosophy based on Confucian Classics.