『孔子改制考』를 통해본 캉유웨이(康有爲)의 上古史 인식

Abstract

Confucius as a Reformer (孔子改制考) is one of the most representative books of Kang Yu Wei (康有爲). The main theme of it is focused on Confucius's building-up of Confucianism and the establishment of Chinese civilization. Before investigating into the topic, Kang Yu Wei tried to link Confucius to the civilization and history of the ancient times of China. Poor records of those times in fact could be fully led to the uncertainty of the very existence of the legendary Kings of Yo(堯)⋅Sun(舜) and splendid culture at that time and the advent of some dynasty as well. Thanks to Confucius, however, now we believe their appearance in the Chinese history. That is to say, Confucius himself made the new religious order of Confucianism by bringing existing various culture and civilization and referred to good and wise kings including Yo and Sun as the founders of his Confucianism theory to extend the religion's influence, regarding Confucianism is fundamentally originated from those ancient times. As Confucius worked for establishing the doctrine of Confucianism, he is believed as the originator of the ancient Chinese civilization and his religious dogma has naturally a firm position as a central theory that explains Chinese civilization. Such approach to the ancient times of China is very meaningful from the academic perspective, first, it is served as a theoretical basis for Kang Yu Wei's working on innovation and Western-style modernization movement, and second, it plays a critical role in paradigm-shift of the study of the ancient history of China. It accordingly could be useful for the future research of the thought of Kang Yu Wei or discourse by the China's modern academic community.