정약용의 직업사상

Abstract

Throughout the history of the world, Jung Yak Yong is an outstanding figure regarding his expertise in both knowledge and experience of various occupations. Dasan was deeply interested in the various kinds of occupation and work, and he presents his concrete ideas on the ways in which these jobs should be prosecuted and performed. This thesis comprehensively reconstructs and reinterprets Dasan’s ideas, focusing on the concepts of occupation and work. Dasan presents doing one’s best in practical work as the key to moral self-discipline and cultivation of personality. Dasan argues that even the moral values—which are considered inner values—are realized through the practical work and behavior in everyday life. Therefore, occupation is the root of all inner and outer values for Dasan. Dasan makes it clear that the ultimate goal of work is the well being of the people. He emphasizes that not only the work one performs as an occupation but also the moral self-discipline should aim precisely for the well being of the people. The policies and the system he suggests in order to reform the society are also some of the concrete ways of improving the quality of the lives of the people. Dasan argues that the gist of national prosperity and the well being of the people lies in the proper distribution of work according to the capability of each members of the society and the hard work of all its members. He emphasizes that in order to do this, the evaluation of and compensation for the achievements in work needs to be carried out fairly. Along with noting that everyone should work diligently without leaving out anyone, he is cautious lest one should harm the public benefit while being consumed with the private profits in the performance one’s occupation. Dasan believes that creating a positive social condition and providing support in terms of the policies and the system in general are as important as a thorough occupational consciousness of the individuals. Accordingly, Dasan suggests specific policies and the system through which individuals can devote to one’s own occupation, which eventually leads to national prosperity. The emphasis on the public concern is the most prominent characteristic of Dasan’s ideas on occupation and work. Truly valuable work for Dasan is a work that benefits all the members of a society. According to Dasan, all values are realized through one’s own performing of a job, which is the person’s social role, and when that work benefits all members of the society, both the people’s well-being and the national prosperity can be accomplished. The occupational philosophy of Dasan makes a comprehensive one in that he establishes a theoretical system of philosophy—in which he asserts that the meaning and value of individual life manifests itself through work—as well as suggests concrete and stable social system that renders possible the realization of his ideas.