荀子의 指導者論

Abstract

Although the spirit of the ages of Xun Zi was, like the Hundred Schools at the end of the Warring States period, based on the critical mind how to unify the divided states, he could not help but consider the method for political and social stability after unification. Xun Zi’s philosophy shows the features characterized by separation and unification between past and present; nature and humans; naturality and artificiality. This applies to the leadership theory as it stands. First, Xun Zi thought of himself as the successor of Confucius, however, he criticized entire Confucianism including Zisi and Mencius schools calling them mediocre scholars(俗儒), and proposed the theory of ideal leadership which was contrasted with Confucianism. As the standard for Confucian scholar, Xun Zi gave priority to previous king, propriety, and virtue . In the meantime, he did not reject the later king, laws and ruling by force which are contrasted with the former standards. Among them, the propriety(禮義) which are premised on the unified spirits of the ages of the previous(先王) and the later king were emphasized. Second, Xun Zi admitted the propriety and laws as two methods to govern the state, and at the same time, he gave priority to the propriety rather than laws, and established the entity thereof as Confucian gentlemen. He thought that humans are more important than the system. In addition, among the virtues of ruler, he put emphasis on taking the initiative and developing human resources depends on their ability. That is because if the self-discipline of the leader is not premised, edification by laws and propriety shall not be feasible. He considered that the appointment through favoritism based on nepotism will end only in national ruin. In short, Xun Zi’s leadership theory is the establishment of humanism since Confucius, and it also can be said that his theory is the completion of Confucian leadership theory that make morality a top priority.