宋明理學에서 순자철학에 대한 평가와 수용 －주자를 중심으로－

Abstract

This paper will explore how the philosophies of Xun Zi were evaluated and received in the field of Neo-Confucianism, particularly by Zhu Xi. Inspired by the writings of Han Yu, a Chinese writer during the Tang Dynasty, the theoretical branch of Daotong, which championed the philosophies of Confucius and Mencius, became the mainstream Confucian philosophy. As a result, the philosophies of Xunzi faded into the mists of history. According to Zhu Xi’s assessment of Xunzi’s philosophy recorded in the ancient Zhuziyulei text, he is more critical than complimentary of Xunzi. Zhu Xi’s criticisms primarily focus on the Theory of Human Nature and the Discourse on Heaven rather than the Theory of the Mind and Theory of Self-Cultivation. This author, however, believes that Xunzi, not Mencius, has a better grasp on the essence of all theories except the Theory of Human Nature and the Discourse on Heaven. Admittedly, there are certain limitations that hinder the exploration and examination of similarities between the philosophies of Xunzi and Zhu Xi - it is difficult to determine the superiority or inferiority between philosophies. This author also understands that an overall comparison/ analysis is difficult to execute. Nevertheless, this author will analyze how the philosophies of Xunzi have been evaluated and received in Neo-Confucianism to identify the reason as to why Zhu Zi rejected the philosophies of Xunzi, while accepting the teachings of Mencius. Moreover, this author will review philosophies by Xunzi that influenced the philosophies of Zhu Xi, and compare their inherent similarities and differences.