俞棨의 <讀書瑣說> 연구

Abstract

The objectives of this study was to broaden the horizon of research in Sangseo, a Chinese ancient literature on history of the times from the You to Xia, Yin and to the Zhou dynasty and redefine that Yugye was a scholar of Confucian classics as well as a historian and Confucian courtesy expert in Joseon of the 17h century. For the objectives, the study investigated <Dokseo Swaeseol> among the components of Yugye’s Samgyeong Swaeseol, a brief commentary literature on the Books of Odes, History and Change that is yet to be put in the 『Korean Compilation of Confucian Classics』 In <Dokseo Swaeseol>(Section 260), Sinam Yugye tried to provide his views about the content of classic scriptures in 『Sangseo』 rather than just interpreting sentences that consist of those scriptures. In the provision, more often than not, Yugye showed skepticism about Chaejeon or Zhou-zi’s thoughts while appropriating 『Seojipjeon』 written by Chae Dam. Instead, he attempted to prove his views by turning to a number of different explanations that include brief annotations found in 『Sangseo Daejeon』, a Chinese ancient literature on Confucianism-based new interpretation of the Four Books and Five Classics. This move suggests that thinkers of the 17th century in Joseon were relatively free to present their ideas. Most part of <Deokseo Swaeseol> is about arguments over historic incidents during the Chinese ancient times, an era from the regime of Yao and Shun to the Xia, Shang and to the Zhou dynasty. Especially, by the way, Yugye reorganized the history of that era by developing interesting inferences when it comes to succession to the throne or early royal accomplishments in the same era. The reorganization is in some respect an outcome of synchronization between Yugye’s disposition as a historian and the double identity of 『Sangseo』 that is, a Confucian classics and history book.