유교의 효제윤리와 경로사상, 그리고 노인복지

Abstract

This paper is to inquiry into welfare of the aged shown on the Confucian concepts of HyoJe and GyeongRoHyoChin (敬老孝親: respect for the elderly and good to parents). As many know, HyoJe comes from the words HyoJeChungShin (孝悌忠信: filial piety, brotherly love, loyal to king and faithful to friends), which are the root for practice of Rén (仁: benevolence). That is, Confucian ethics is thought to start with HyoJe. It is often said that Hyo means the underlying continuity of ChinChin (親親: close and friendly in relation), whereas Je (悌: polite) is a moral principle that covers every human relationship through the solidarity of JongHyeong (從兄: cousins and brothers). Therefore, Confucius said that practice of Hyo and Je was the base to go for Rén. That is, HyoJe is the moral source of Confucianism, which covers not only family but also neighbors, society and nation in relation with the order for duties of human. Especially Hyo is not based on one-sided absolute obedience or magnificent materialistic devotion. It is based on the truth where you go toward love for mankind with pure emotion and sense. This kind of HyoJe ethics is originated from the ancient period in Korea. Since the foundation of Joseon dynasty, the ethics of HyoJe had evolved up to the ideas of HyoChin and GyeongRo, which played the moral root of Joseon dynasty and was practiced by every king by themselves. In particular, such idea of GyeongRo was realized into such systems as GiYeon (耆宴: party for the elderly), YangRo (養老: serving the aged with food and by appointing the elderly to government official positions), GiYeongHoi (耆英會: party for the elderly retired as high government officials), GiRoHoi (耆老會: group of retired elderly Confucian scholars), GiRoSo (耆老所: office serving for elderly government officials) and etc. Especially through GaJaJe (加資制), ordinary class people who were 80 years old or older were appointed to the officials of the semi 8th class, and 100 years old or older to the officials of the 6th class. For the slaves, furthermore, SiJeongje (侍丁制) was established so that they could serve their parents. As indicated above, in Joseon dynasty, the Confucian ethics of HyoJe was extended to the idea of GyeongRo to give practical benefits to the aged.