동아시아 사유에서 만물일체와 욕망의 문제 - 유가철학의 인(仁), 만물일체, 욕망의 관계를 중심으로 -

Abstract

The unity of all things is a state of communication, relationship, and connection between numerous individuals that exist inside and outside my human body. It also means the absence of boundaries, discrimination or discrimination between individuals in the universe, and the meaning of equality. However, the fundamental thing that blocks this noble value is human desire. Even in the philosophy of Lao Tzu, who emphasizes lack of desire, and Zhuangzi, who insists on the oneness of all things, human desire is by no means ontologically desirable. Cheng Hao is a thinker who called for human beings active will to reach out to others by linking the meaning of all things to the meaning of 'benevolence'. The person who saw this obstacle to the unity of all things as human greed was Wang Xiu-ren. Wang Xiu-ren viewed the true knowledge of all things, including plants and animals, as the knowledge of humans and proposed the theory of unity of all things that all things communicate with humans through 'one chi(energy)', raising concerns that human desires might block that communication did. However, for thinkers who saw desire as the driving force of history, desire is the potential of all things and the opportunity for the manifestation of reason. There was also a recognition that the selfish desire for profit gave rise to discrimination and obstruction, becoming an obstacle to the unity of all things. This can be seen in Tan Ssu-tung's view, and the fact that self-interest is regarded as an obstacle to the unity of all things is similar to Wang Xiu-ren's opinion, which holds a pre-modern view of desire. However, thinkers in the modern transition period expressed concern that high lighting the negative aspects of desire could result in desireless state that blocks the fundamental motivation for ‘work’ as an opportunity for the expression of reason or as a historical activity. Ultimately, whether desire is functional or not for all things in oneness​ in the Confucian philosophical discussions? There is a critical awareness that numerous individuals existing in the world should live while 'communicating' with each other as 'one body' without discrimination, distinction, or discrimination.