동학의 ‘성(誠)’관에 나타난 기일원론(氣一元論) 문제

Abstract

Donghak attempts to establish the logic of humanness related to human identity through the view of ‘Sincerity’. Donghak's view of Sincerity was established based on the logic of constantly changing energy, not on the logic that values immutable rationality. Donghak thinks that everything that exists in this world is formed by harmony of spirit. According to Donghak, this world is filled by the huge spirit, which is the ‘one Qi[一氣]’, and all things are made by this ‘extreme Qi(至氣)’, Since Donghak was also achieved by ‘extreme Qi’, I think humans can live a human-like life only when they understand the laws of this universe well. Soon, Donghak formed a theoretical system from the perspective of the theory of origin on the basis of existence and the principle of operation of the world. Donghak identifies the human attitude that truthfully reveals the fair mind of heaven in life without self-interest with the logic of ‘Sincerity’. In Donghak, ‘Sincerity’ is a mysterious life activity formed inside humans by the mysterious "Jiji." This life activity is always with a fair sky, so it is the source of morality that can maintain human dignity. In Donghak, keeping the mind upright(守心正氣) is a practical method for realizing Sincerity. Donghak constructs this unique logic of depth by utilizing the perspective of the unification of way of heaven, the principle of heaven's operation, and the path of way of human, of humans, which are emphasized in traditional study abroad. In other words, in Donghak, ‘Sincerity’ is not only a symbol of personality cultivation that protects and corrects the original heart of the pure sky, but also a peaceful action plan to realize an equal society. The moral life that Donghak values is an important theoretical basis for social practice. Donghak believes that human beings, who are social beings, should form a desirable community society through their inner awareness. This is because the goal of building an equal society based on Donghak's sense of community is to regard both human-human relations as ‘one body[一體]’. In this way, Donghak's ‘Sincerity’ view, based on the Qi monism(氣一元論), aims to realize that each human being is heaven and lead a life as an equal being.