대동사회, 변법인가? 수양인가?― 강유위와 이승희의 대동 사회 실현을 위한방법을 중심으로

Abstract

This study is to look into 2 directions of achieving ideal society by Kang Youwei (1858~1927) and Lee Seung-hee (1847~1916) who set up the society called ‘DaTong (united society)’ through Confucian church movement at the time of Western powers’ advancing toward East Asia by confirming stance differences on Datong society. Kang Youwei and Lee Seung-hee starts from the idea of Datong having been introduced by Confucius in 『Liji 禮記』 and 「Liyun 禮運」. Also, recognition such like most basic conditions to reach DaTong Society should be begun from confucian proposition called ‘仁(benevolence)’ is same. However, Kang Youwei thought that such benevolence was already inherent in people. Thus, benevolence (Ren 仁) is not the object of self-cultivation any more, and is not the object of expansion either. What is necessary from now is the detailed system which can realize it because benevolence is previously equipped with to all people. The stance of Kang Youwei who tried to open real DaTong society through realistic system reform is come out from this point. In contrast, Lee Seung-hee pays attention to benevolent nature kept in people. Reviving the nature given to all people and having to reveal it to behavioral patterns called ‘Ye 禮’ should be done. In this respect, DaTong of Lee Seung-hee is the world which can be gotten by being aware of the nature benevolence and righteousness and reviving Ye (courtesy), not the world of being completed through reform like Kang Youwei. It is the reason that Lee Seong-hee emphasizes ‘setting up one’s mind right’ rather than changing institution and laws while progressing Confucian church movement. The idea of DaTong, how to achieve it? Should the new society be made through reform of system? Or, should we change the small reality where we are living on through individual changes? This study is looking at the stance of Kang Youwei and Lee Seung-hee on ideal society in front of these 2 questions.