전쟁을 통해 본 적대와 환대 − 맹자(孟子)의 의전(義戰)을 중심으로 −

Abstract

This research is based on the idea that if we want peace, we need to understand war. War is the quintessential manifestation of hostility, and it is hoped that by looking at it from the other side of hospitality, the meaning of hospitality can be made clearer by contrast. This study examines through the lens of war why not all opponents are enemies, but some are, and what new ideas can be gleaned from Mencius' discussion of Uijeon(義戰), in which he speaks of a "war without enemies," a departure from the usual conception of war. In war, the enemy does not have a single meaning. The history of warfare shows that not all wars are fought against enemies, and not all enemies in all wars are perceived as enemies to be violently hated and eliminated. The most hostile wars are those in which the enemy is dehumanized and demonized. Violence against them becomes extreme and easily justified. This dehumanization of the enemy is often triggered by religion or ideology, which attributes the self to good and the other to evil, creating a framing of good versus evil. However, Mencius makes some noteworthy arguments in relation to Uijeon(義戰). First, Mencius does not deny or rule out war by itself. He argues that a polity based on universal human morality and common values, such as Inui(仁義) rather than self-interest, makes "war without enemies" possible. He also argues that the absence of a moral superiority between good and evil leads to destructive warfare. Mencius's ideas challenge us to rethink the way we think about war and the enemy. While the framing of good and evil as a means of warfare is problematic, discerning good and evil may not be. However, the distinction between good and evil requires a common ground, and the question is how far we can expand such common values.