‘직관’과 ‘추론’을 통해 본 퇴계 ‘경(敬)’의 도덕 심리학적 함의

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to derive moral and psychological meanings from Toegye Yi Hwang’s concept of ‘Jing(敬)’. In particular, based on the main concepts of moral judgment, Intuition and Inference, in moral psychology, we would like to show the significance of moral education of Toegye’s ‘Jing’. ‘Jing’ is a key concept that penetrates Toegye’s own Neo-Confucianism and moral education theory, and is a practical study theory concept that completes adults with the heart of a true moral subject. Toegye always emphasized the importance of ‘Jing’ in mind study. Our body has a moral mind, but we have a strong tendency to constantly arouse our personal desires. Therefore, Toegye highlighted the ‘Jing’ that presides over the body so that the mind does not fall into the swamp of desire and follows the heavenly principles. Gyeong is a state of moral perception that does not cause any human desire because of its empty heart and spirit, and it maintains the city center that has become one with Tian-Li(天理). Therefore, this becomes a key concept in Toegye Neo-Confucianism to achieve the goal of the Holy Spirit. In addition, this ‘Jing’ implies the meaning of moral judgment that exerts moral thinking so that the mind can actively operate on its own, which is its essence. The main contents of the moral judgment can be said to be Intuition and Inference, which are presented as important concepts in modern moral psychology. In other words, ‘Jing’ is an immediate moral principle that immediately causes moral behavior according to the voluntary will of ‘Li(理)’ whose mind is moral pure in terms of Intuition, and when the mind is active and real in terms of Inference, it makes moral judgments and determines actions based on ‘Li’. In this way, Toegye’s ‘Jing’ with the moral psychological meaning of Intuitive and Inference can be used as a concept applicable to moral education.