공자의 뒷담화와 그 피드백 효과

Abstract

This paper presents a study of Confucius' gossiping remarks made as a sort of feedback. In the Analects of Confucius, there are many scenes where Confucius criticizes or speaks ill of someone among his disciples when they are not present. This study regards such remarks as "gossiping" (talking behind their back) and attempts to find out what made Confucius gossip about his disciples in their absence. First of all, this study analyzes Confucius' gossiping remarks about his disciple Fan Chi from the perspective of "automatic thoughts," a term coined by Aaron T. Beck. The analysis results reveal that Confucius' gossiping is associated with negative feelings he had towards Fan Chi. The analysis learns from the examples of Zai Wo and Ran Qiu that Confucius' gossiping was motivated by anger. Further, the analysis determines that an activated irrational belief was involved behind his mentality of gossiping. In addition, this paper shows that Confucius' gossiping remarks had both negative and positive feedback effects: Primarily, his gossiping caused the individuals about whom he gossiped--or talked behind their back--to be pressed. On the other hand, however, gossiping had the effect of drawing positive feedback from such individuals by providing moral guidance and keeping them motivated. Another feedback effect of Confucius' gossiping was to inspire all members of his scholastic community to seek after truth.