『맹자』 「곡속(觳觫)」장 분석을 통해 바라본 성선(性善)과 도덕적 확장

Abstract

Through the analysis of Section 7, “Liang Hui Wang I,” Mengzi, this article examines Mencius’ concept of ‘good-in-nature’ (性善) of human and its ethical extension. From the context of the Section 7, Mencius’ ‘good-in-nature’ was recognized as a sense of morality, and the ‘good-in-nature’ on its own does not stand as the good unless relevant actions are followed. From key concepts extracted from the text – “the heart” (斯心) for the ‘good-in-nature,’ “lift” (擧) and “apply” (加) for actions, and ultimately the state of having “the kingdom may be made to go round in your palm” (天下可運之掌上) - the meaning of their ethical extension is further analyzed, through which a bigger picture of the Good-in-Nature Theory, embracing elements of the action and ethical extension, can be drawn.