도가 인성론(人性論)의 본질과 교육적 함의 고찰

Abstract

This article is primarily aimed at examining the essential features of Taoist’s Theory of Human Nature. Laozi wanted to define the human nature problem from an angle that was quite different from the position of thinkers in the Advanced era. In general, it is often claimed that Human Nature is good or evil. In the view of Laozi, good and evil are merely relative concepts and moral ethical definitions. According to him, human nature cannot be fully identified by these perspectives, but is recognizable only in terms of the degree that transcending good and evil. In particular, he wanted to present the true nature of humanity as compared to the infant. Zhuangzi, who succeeded the ideology of the Laozi, also believed that the human nature which derived from the Heaven’ will was considered to have a simple and natural instinct. The second goal of this article is to examine the implications of the teaching based on the viewpoint of the Taoist’s Theory of Human Nature. Taoist's position on the Theory of Human Nature has been reflected in training and education, and it is different from the contents of the educations emphasized by existing thinkers. Through the theory of personality, Taoist emphasized that in order for a human being to live as a human being, he must regain his original form and reflect on whether the values sought by man are truly valuable. It is believed that the Human Nature Theory of Laozi and Zhuangzi provides us with an opportunity to reflect deeply on the blind life of today as well.