왕필 有無論으로 보는 도덕의 기초

Abstract

This research evolves from questioning if the discrepancy between Confucianism and Taoism may have been over exaggerated. Wang Bi’s studies have been analyzed as an example of the compromise between Confucianism and Taoism. The researcher, however, suggests that it is neither Confucianismization of Taoism nor Taoismization of Confucianism for his research purposes, but a form of development from the commonalities between the two studies based on the consistency which appears in his annotation in Lunyu(論語) and Laozi(老子). In this research, therefore, Wang Bi’s theory of ‘You’ and ‘Wu’[有無論] is primarily analyzed. First, the actual meanings of ‘You(有)’ and ‘Wu(無)’ are identified; in addition, it is revealed that he explained ‘Dao(道)’ as ‘Wu(無)’ against existent fixed ideas, or idola[偶像]. Furthermore, it is identified that Wang Bi’s belief, which is it is difficult to flexibly deal with situations when persisting with a certain thought, is expressed through his various guiding principles which are differently expressed but have the same meaning such as ‘to avoid doing something in his or her own position[無私]’, ‘to empty one’s own mind[虛心]’ or ‘to maintain Zhong(中)[守中]’. Subsequently, this research suggests that the meaning of ‘Chongbenximo(崇本息末)’ which he claimed as the main subject of Laozi(老子) or his theory of a saint and his interpretation of Confucius appeared in his annotation in Lunyu(論語) can be comprehensible in this context.