司馬遷의 通變論에 관한 몇 가지 검토

Abstract

In this paper, I'd like to mention that the main point of Sima Qian's interpretion theory takes the first step on the statement that 'bian: change' has more meaningful value than 'tong: tradition'. He thought that the word 'change' is different and relative concept when compared to the permanency belonging to tradition, which emphasizes not on just following Confucius's opinion but on expanding individual's open perspectives. In other words, he wasn't willing to accept the historical facts by their traditional thinking, rather, he tried to absorb it abreast of times. Therefore, he thought it is natural that history is changing and it is historian's responsibility to show the real nature of history by changing the aspects to as time goes on. Through this perspective, he wrote more about contemporary history. There are reasons that had an effect on his perspective. First, the scholastic mantle of his home was Taoism and his father Sima Dam was well versed in Yin and Yang theory and astronomy. Sima Qian considered the Chinese history as the consequences of numerous changes, which is very innovative and so rare perspective in that he has the entirely different origin of perspective from the reactionism of the Confucius's and this perspective is difficult to find in the entire history. Though it isn't true that Sima Qi an ignored the Confucianism, his viewpoint takes more note on Taoism rather than Confucianism.