지선(至善)과 중(中)의 관계를 통한 율곡 이이의 도덕 실천의지[立志] 함의

Abstract

In order to enforce and persist an ethical practice will, ‘determination of one’s purpose of life(立志)’ had a special meaning to master Yulgok(栗谷). The problem was how to study of enforcing ethical practices in our daily lives. In this regard, two directions that the two most prominent Korean Confucian scholars of the Joseon Dynasty, Toegye(退溪) and Yulgok(栗谷) had shown, are linked with their ideological differences. Toegye described that behave naturally according to the circumstances through psychological maturity. Yulgok, on the other, said that not only the study of psychological maturity but the study of understanding external stimulations actively to find the balance between the ideal and the real is also important. This study would like to cast questions about the supreme good(至善) and the middle(中) which were suggested in the Confucian Scriptures through Yulgok’s critical perspective on Kobong(高峰). It also examined former works that described Yulgok and Kobong based on the same systems thinking. It is because the supreme good and the middle are the basis of ethics, that confucianism regards them as absolute values. When the supreme good means an immutable law which is inherent in the whole creation, the middle is relatively curtailed as an ethical standards in our minds. It is obvious that establishing human nature through an awareness of the supreme good is important, but the way of applying it to our daily lives is the core question. And that is the Yulgok’s core criticism on Kobong. Master Yulgok emphasized the difference between the effort of reaching the absolute state of the supreme good and the middle(中) actively by linking them together. As if seeking the supreme good is needed, the study of the timeliness(時中) is also needed. That is, eventually, not only expressing positive stances on ultimate standards and values but also by approaching them, realistic efforts to respond to the external stimulations properly are required. This paper presents that master Yulgok’s important philosophical teachings on enforcing ethical practice will by determination of one’s purpose of life(立志).