조선초기 화충·절충의 학문 방법과 군신공치

Abstract

This article reveals that the Confucianism scholars of the late Goryeo Dynasty, adopting the academic methods and political theories of Harmony(和衷) and Eclecticism(折衷), embraced the theory of Neo-Confucianism and aimed for the men of high virtues and intellect. The scholars of the Late Goryeo Dynasty pursued Confucianism's ideal human form and ideal governance system, and upheld Harmony(和衷) and Eclecticism(折衷), which is to concord with others and to overcome differences of opinion with a polite and sincere heart. This attitude of mind is the driving force behind the search for truth, the reform of the world, nature, society surrounding humans, and the construction of a new ideal society. Here, Eclecticism refers to cutting off personal attachment to self-assertion and prejudice against opposing arguments and positions on various factions and objectifies the object to create the best way forward. The political theory of harmonious compromise (Harmony and Eclecticism) leads to a monarchy in which the monarch and his subjects co-operate. Since the monarch and his subjects are entrusted with the task of ruling on behalf of the heavens, a commonwealth is established. King’s learning (經筵) as well as supervision and consultation to the king and his subjects(臺諫) provided institutional guarantees to the success of the political theory of harmonious compromise (Harmony and Eclecticism). The collaborative politics of the monarch and his subjects led to the theories of monarch’s learning of sagehood and the organization of monarchical literature. Monarch’s learning of sagehood is the study of a monarch becoming a saint, that is, a monarch understanding the way of things through the study of the scriptures and grasping the right thing to do. At this time, the king is imperfect as a natural person, so the monarch is required to cultivate the qualities and virtues of a king through the learning of sagehood. Monarchical literature in this view include “Daehakjeoneu(The Extended Meaning of The Great Learning)”, “Gyeongjemungambyeoljip”, “Saseojoryo”, “Chipyeongyoram”, “Daehakjeoneujipyak”, etc. These texts emphasize the moral cultivation of monarchs and believe that they can rule the country on this basis.