유교사상에서 중中 개념의 의미 차이에 따른 정의(義) 관념의 차이 고찰

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis is to analyze the meaning of the concept of Middle, one of the core concepts of Confucianism, and to examine what the difference in the notion of justice might be, which may arise from the difference in understanding of the concept of Middle. This topic was reviewed through the following three points. First, the meaning of the middle concept itself is broad. Second, since the concept of middle has been widely used from general descriptions to philosophical descriptions, it is necessary to distinguish the meaning of middle use as a philosophical concept. Third, the difference in understanding of the middle concept can have any continuity with the difference between the Eastern and Western notions of justice. As a result of the discussion, the meaning of middle, which is the premise of justice in the usage of classical literature, was to be understood as a meaning symbolized by a target, not a double-armed scale. It was not about securing a middle ground between righteousness and benefit (a double-armed scale type), but about securing only righteousness (a target type). Also, prior to this meaning, in the realm of values or discipline, such as ethics, morals, and expression of emotions, middle should be understood as the meaning of a target type. The fact that righteousness should be understood as a target type suggests that righteousness is not limited to an abstract and theoretical concept, but has a strong connotation of reality.