최명길의 경전 독법 연구: 「논어기의(論語記疑)」를 대상으로

Abstract

In “Noneo giui” (Notes on Doubtful Parts in the Analects), Choe Myeong-gil criticizes existing commentaries and seeks a better interpretation of the Analects; therefore, we can infer his way of reading the Confucian classics from this work. “Noneo giui” would be a record of what was most difficult to compromise with the commentaries. Even in this record, however, Choe approaches the Analects based on the commentaries, and investigates the original meaning of the text while understanding the commentaries from the viewpoint of commentators, which supports that his understanding of the Analects was deepened through extensive reading on the existing commentaries in a receptive manner. After this extensive reading, Choe criticizes some of the commentaries from the viewpoint that values practice and actual situation. In relation to valuing practice, Choe emphasizes three aspects :practice in specific situations while adopting the mind as a criterion, the sustained effort and will to promote practice, and flexible righteousness in accord with the circumstances. Choe’s view that attaches importance to reality is connected to his criticism of the existing commentaries on the basis of practicality and actuality, the context of the text, and the exact meanings of terms. In sum, “Noneo giui” demonstrates one example of Choe Myeong-gil’s way of reading the Confucian classics:after extensive reading on existing commentaries, Choe seeks a complete understanding of the text through critically examining those commentaries on the basis of his emphasis on practice and interpretation that considers actual situation.