洪大容의 『中庸問疑』에 관한 연구

Abstract

The existing other studies on Hong Dae Yong's idea of Silhak (Korean pragmatism) have gotten much achievement in various academic fields in their ways for the time being. The studies in terms of idea, the studies on the basic principle of Silhak that penetrates all through Silhak, are, however, still on a hot spot. This study is aimed to investigate theoretically the characteristic features of Hong Dae Yong's idea of Silhak by analyzing his viewpoint of Gyeonghak (learning of Confucian classics) focusing on 'JungYongMunEui(中庸問疑)'. Raising questions on Ju Ja's notes, Hong Dae Yong tried to establish objective and clear perception rather than skill and minuteness, so that he showed such big efforts to approach the original spirit of Confucianism. His study attitude on Confucian classics was open-minded style getting beyond academic rigidity and authoritarian circumstance. This attitude was exposed naturally in connection with perception on reality and will of solving problems. Based on this spirit, he could embody the idea of Silhak in more particular form. In 'JungYongMunEui', Hong Dae Yong suggested his questions partially on Ju Ja's notes on 'JungYong(中庸)' rather than showed his objection on the entire Ju Ja's notes. However, his viewpoint shown even in this way is understandable as his will that is a certain challenge onto the authority of Ju Ja's notes prevailing that period and is exposed in connection with the nature of that period that is internal and external change of the viewpoint of the world. Most of all, basically, he strictly adhered to the attitude to find out the principle of Confucianism contained in Confucian classics and was interested more in solving the problems concerning public welfare in real life rather than seeing formative theory.