艮齋 田愚의 「讀論語」 硏究

Abstract

This study analyzes Ganjae Jeon Woo’s Dok Non Eo and reviews his study of the Confucian classics. Essentially, the analysis method used in this study is to accept Ganjae’s approach to annotating the Confucian classics, with the primary focus being on his aspect as a commentator. In order to provide a sophisticated analysis, this study divides Dok Non Eo into chapters and section that clearly follows the characteristics of Ganjae’s annotations. This method is necessary to precisely reveal the original intentions of the classic manuscript and the overall meanings of his annotations. Accordingly, as the chapter/section scheme is applied to Dok Non Eo, it becomes clear in which chapter/section Ganjae’s annotations and analysis are the most sophisticated. Moreover, it also enables us to see whether his annotation and analysis reveals the original intention of the classic manuscript. From the perspective of “the nature is the principle (性卽理)” and “the mind is the energy flow (心卽氣),” Ganjae puts forth his arguments regarding the relationships between human mind, nature, Li, and Ki by advocating “Li has no action (理無爲)” and “Ki has an action (氣有爲).” He points out that the human mind presides over Ki on the basis of the nature. Thus, the human mind is more spiritual than Ki, but harsher than the nature. In this regard, Ganjae distinguishes Ki, which constitutes human mind, from temperament, which contains a mixture of good and evil. Even Zhu Xi and Yul Gok do not escape Ganjae’s impartial criticism. This is consistent with Ganjae’s cautious approach to set the foundation of his own theory through annotations on the Confucian classics. He interprets the first character “Hak (學)” of Non Eo as “Hakseong (學性)” and adds precise annotations arguing that “Saseohak” is all “Hakseong” by quoting the Four Books (四書). By citing the philosopher’s adage that “Hak” does not exist without nature (性), Ganjae clearly argues that the noble spirit of Confucianism is the noble nature (宗性). Accordingly, Mind should be based on the nature (心本性), Mind learns the nature (心學性), Nature is a teacher and human mind is its disciple (性師心弟), Consequently, Seongmoon (聖門) is the study that is based on the heavens. This has an unrevealed, deeper meaning (微言大義) that Ganjae understands by studying the Confucian classics as a commentator. In this regard, Ganjae criticizes the theory of the noble mind (宗心論), which leads him to understand the noble spirit of Confucianism differently, and propose the theory of noble nature (宗性論) as the principle for criticizing heretical views.