조선 유학에서 감성의 문제

Abstract

This paper attempts to criticize and reconstruct the Joseon Confucianism by the category of emotion. I analysed how the category of emotion, a base of empathy and communication, is positioned in the theoretical framework of Joseon Confucianism, focusing on Igi-ron(理氣論) and seongjeong-ron(性情論). In my view, the mainstream of Joseon Confucianism stressed the establishment of reason by excluding the category of emotion. In Joseon Confucianism Li(理) was absolutely superior to gi(氣), and reason(性) to emotion(情). The category of emotion demanded the dominant notion of morality to be redefined. In Joseon Confucianism the conception of morality could not be separated from the patriarchal notion of order, that is, cheolli(天理). Therefore, for the reformulation of Joseon Confucianism, we need to understand and re-conceptualize world based on the emotional experience, for example, empathy, passion, ordinariness, and intimacy.