1905~1910년 文明論의 展開와 새로운 文明觀 摸索

Abstract

The intellectuals of Chosŏun, who set a goal of Chosŏn's civilization, sank into the deep shock of Eulsa Treaty as the treaty seemed to prove that the civilization works so far were fruitless. However, they could not stop their efforts for civilization in the country, believing that lagging behind in civilization would ultimately lead to total collapse in the accelerating competitions in the jungle-like world. The civilization works needed to be more organized and efficient. Claiming more strength for Korea, the Jagangron believers thought the civilization efforts should be promoted by forming new groups. Under such an atmosphere, many societies were formed and civilization discourse was developed vigorously. The Theory of Civilization in that period had two trends; one was to tolerate Japanese supports, agreeing with the logic of civilization presented by Japan, and the other was to take active interest in material civilization. Both the trends were the results of excessive obsession with civilization. On the other hand, there was a movement to raise questions with those trends of civilization and search for new directions in civilization. It was those Korean students studying in Japan that led the movement. Criticizing the double acts of people who stydy mordern studies(Shinhakgas : 新學家), they raised questions with material-centric Theory of Civilization and emphasized the importance of spiritual civilization. In Korea, there were criticisms about Shinhakgas and attempts to establish the concept of civilization anew. Korean society continuously implemented civilization works since the Gabo Reforms(甲午改革) of 1894. Being judged to have the same value as wealth and power, civilization was understood to possess the clear values to attain. However, there were few attempts to think about whether the directions of civilization were right or not. Thus it was considerably meaningful that there were serious thoughts about the directionality of civilization even though they came rather late.