유교 修養論의 도덕교육적 含意

Abstract

Contemporary society is the society of infinite competition. Competition in good faith for ‘win‐win’ may promote mutual prosperity and provide a driving force for social development through efforts to be better, but it also has formidable side effects. Out of excessive competition, NIMBY and PIMFY are rampant in our society and extreme selfishness for ‘survival of the fittest’ is spreading throughout society. In the field of education as well, it is emphasized more to survive through competition rather than to cultivate moral and ethical qualities, and in such as situation, many adolescents are stressed and wounded by diverse problems related to school records, future career, friends, loneness, solitude, etc. without clear solutions. As a result, some adolescents express themselves in problem behaviors such as distraction, violence and runaway, and some agonize internally though not expressing in such problem behaviors. Another emerging social problem is the increasing number of adolescents who ignore friends in difficulty or victims of violence as long as they are all right. In order to solve these problems in school, various programs are offered like creative experiential activities, youth camping and training activities, utilization of moral education, and counseling activities, but these programs are not so effective. The biggest reason for their ineffectiveness is that they try to solve problems in a superficial and heteronomous way without suggesting methods for adolescents to solve their problems by themselves. As a result, instead of overcoming actively and wisely, many adolescents with low self‐esteem and strong sense of inferiority are easily frustrated by hardships and adversities and even abandon their precious life. In case of those with low moral empathy ability, moreover, if their desire is not satisfied but frustrated they get angry, blame others, and even commit violence. Adolescents are, of course, mentally immature and in need of support from their parents, teachers and society, but still they should be cultivated to control their emotion and to solve their own problems by themselves. It is because some day when they become an adult they should be able to control their emotion, to take care of others, and to fulfill their responsibilities as a family member. This is one of reasons for the keen necessity to cultivate mind during adolescence. In this sense, it is quite important to suggest conditions and methods for cultivating mind. The Confucian theory of cultivation through the recovery of the original nature, the development of moral empathy ability, and the drilling of Hoyeonjigi (superabundant vital force) is believed to be an alternative for adolescents suffering from stress and wounds in their heart.