한비자 사상의 교육적 성격

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to interpret Han Fei's thought as an educational theory. His thought can and ought to be understood as an educational theory showing the distinctive legalist perspectives. There are three elements of practical methods, i. e. explicit behavioral rule(法), absolute authority(勢), and tacit art(術). The explicit behavioral rule is the embodiment of Tao(道), so that the people can become virtuous by acting in accordance with it. The absolute authority of the ruler instigates the belief that the righteousness of the behavioral rule is beyond doubt, so that the people follow it for the very reason that it is good. The tacit art refers to a special kind of technique which the ruler uses in the state of non-activity(無爲), so that the ruler can look through the people's mind and know all about the people as they truly are. The most remarkable feature of Han Fei's thought as an educational theory is that it reveals the paradoxical nature of teaching. Seen in this light, teaching is both ‘activity(有爲)’ and ‘non-activity(無爲)’ at the same time. Teaching is activity in the sense that the teacher must depend on artificially invented instruments to teach students with his own qualities. Teaching is non-activity in the sense that teacher does it with the kind of spontaneity that is only compatible with the one who has attained Tao. The paradox that essentially characterizes teacher's attitude is a personification of paradox of Tao in Taoist metaphysical philosophy. Han Fei's legalist thought is a faithful application of Taoist philosophy to concrete educational settings. Also Han Fei's educational theory contrasts well with the orthodox Confucian educational theory; it proposes an act-centered education in contrast with the Confucian thought-centered education with its emphasis on reason and knowledge. Legalist educational theory (external approach of education) and Confucian educational theory (internal approach of education) constitutes two aspects of personality, act and thought. The two approaches of education are indispensable to understanding education in its totality. It is luck on our part that the legalist and the Confucianist approaches of education have coexisted criticizing and supplementing each other in our long cultural tradition.