尤庵 ‘世道’의 이상과 실현

Abstract

Uam-Song Shee Yol (1607-1689) is one of the representative Confucianists of the 17th century in the Chosun Dynasty. Both academically and politically, he was in a very important position at that time. Even though many studies and researches have been conducted about Song Shee Yol himself, there are not many studies focusing on his concept of public morals. This study reviews the ideal and realization of Song Shee Yol's philosophy with special attention to the concept of his public morals. "Public morals" means here normal moral codes or justice of the world, and is the same concept as ethics in Confucianism. Song Shee Yol places the ideal of public morals in the rule of right or the rule of the right king. The rule of right is the ideal of Confucian politics, which is commonly corresponding to public morals. This means a society where economic problems have been solved with wealth and ethical orders have been established. Since economy can be used in a right way through ethics, ethics is an important element in the matter of economy. In order to realize public morals, Song Shee Yol wanted to show animosity toward Qing, the name of the dynasty that ruled China at that time, reject any academic heresies, and actively encourage loyalty or sense of righteousness. This means that Song Shee Yol wanted to realize the ideal of public morals in society, where the moral sense of human beings rules, and conscience and common sense are commonly used as social orders.