맹자의 직업사상

Abstract

Although Mencius does not directly reference profession, it involves varying in-depth discussions about the meaning of profession. Mencius emphasizes the social significance of the opportunity and the right to work as well as remarks on the economic, social, and creative value of occupational activities. This paper aims to demonstrate the contemporary relevance of Mencius’ philosophy of profession through an analysis of his perspectives on work as is demonstrated in Mencius. Mencius pursues the realization of moral politics as an ideal, but for him, the foundation of such society is the materially stable lives of its people. The state, according to Mencius, should provide the conditions on which its people can secure opportunities to work so that they can maintain their own lives. Mencius also takes into account the issue of welfare as he notes that the state is responsible for the disadvantaged population who are not able to sustain themselves. Mencius contends that one’s pursuit of profit must have moral legitimacy and should not harm the benefit of all. Mencius imagines a harmonious relationship between economy and morality through his principle regarding professional activities: individuals’ pursuit of wealth through their work—both its process and purpose—should be in accord with morality. Mencius acknowledges that the significance of a profession exceeds that of an economic means through which one makes a living. Individuals’ occupations have a social meaning since it contributes to the maintenance and improvement of a society by distributing social responsibilities. Accordingly, he describes members of a society as “people feeding each other,” for the members of a society all perform different social roles as well as exchange or share what they have produced. Mencius, however, does not regard profession solely as a social duty that distributes work among its people. He understands profession fundamentally as an activity through which one can display one’s originality and realize oneself. Mencius’ occupational philosophy is far from being a totalitarian one that considers individuals merely as a part of or a means for the society. Mencius’s philosophy of profession involves multitudes of discussions that are still relevant in the contemporary world. In particular, it needs to be emphasized that Mencius inherits and succeeds the Confucian philosophy in that he seeks to harmonize economy and morality. His thoughts on profession deserve a thorough modern reevaluation from diverse perspectives.