순자사상의 분합(分合)논리

Abstract

Xunzi’s view of nature, human view and the view of society can be interpreted as the logics of ‘distinction(分) and integration(合)’. Xunzi regarded a human being as the general being under the natural order and he also regarded a human being as a special being with subjective-active fiber who can add artificial changes to nature. ‘The distinction between heaven and a human being(天人之分)’ that distinguish the natural order from the role of a human being and ‘active participation(能參)’ that perform a human being's duty under the natural order, these two things are the ideas that intend to create value named ‘the nurture of human life(養生)’. Xunzi’s human view accepted the existence of desire in a human being and contemplated ‘the fruition of desire(養欲)’. He regarded a human being as a natural being but he also regarded a human being as a special being that have discernment, oughtness and active consciousness. This is the meaning of ‘the distinction of active fiber(性僞之分)’ Xunzi contemplated that a human being can change human fiber through discernment and can be a desirable social being through artificial efforts. This is the meaning of ‘the integration of active fiber(性僞合)’. Xunzi’s view of society can be arranged in two ideas ‘justifiable distinction(分義)’ and ‘harmonious integration(和一)’. An individual is a human being who has desire and is also a social being as a member of society. Xunzi suggested Li(禮) as a social norm that can make an individual fulfil desire and can minimize social conflict. Xunzi contemplated that an individual fulfil his or her desire with Li(養欲), on the basis of defined distinction, the society can be harmoniously integrated. Xunzi’s logics using distinction(分) and integration(合) is ‘the unification of reality and value’. Distinction(分) is that of objective fact and artificiality. Integration(合) is changing objective fact to general and objective value through subjective-active artificiality. Xunzi’s logics using distinction(分) and integration(合) under the view of nature, human view and the view of society was the thing to achieve ‘the nurture of human life(養生)’.