弘益人間 이념의 유래와 철학적 함의

Abstract

This study examined the origin and philosophical implications of the idea of Hongik Ingan reflected in the myth of Dangun. As we all know, Hongik Ingan is the founding principle and ideals of education of Korea which means ‘to benefit all mankind.’ This idea was suggested by the ancient Koreans and yet it represents the symbol of our entire people. That is, founding the nation for the purpose of ‘Hongik Ingan’, or ‘benefitting all mankind,’ as presented in the myth of Dangun, clearly shows that our people have pursued communal life from the very beginning. And the adopting of ‘Hongik Ingan’ as the ideals of our education shows that our education aims to care for one another rather than compete against others, based on community. Above all, as described in the dangun’s legend, the birth of a human being, Dangun from Hwanung, which represents the heaven, and Ungnyeo from the earth means the birth of a new mankind by the union of father, a heavenly god, and mother, a god of the earth which implies that the ideological origin of our people is founded on the three bases of heaven, earth, and man. Furthermore, the story that Dangun gave up the throne when King Wu of the Zhou Dynasty conferred a correspondent to Joseon for he believed that the correspondent would do better in ruling the nation well represents the ‘peace-loving’ attribute of our people. And the application of such idea of ‘Hongik Ingan’ as the principle of founding university has great significance since the 21st century demands the ideals of human resources with mutual respect rather than competition’.