한국유학 변천에서 보이는 선비의 현실 대응 양상

Abstract

Accepting Chinese characters, we have been using them as words with proper meaning for our language. After Hangeul, Korean alphabet, was invented, pronunciation and meaning(音訓) of Chinese character came to be written with Hangeul and Chinese character has reached to generalization. The word ‘Seonbi (Confucian scholar)’ we use is presented with Chinese characters of ‘士’⋅‘儒’⋅‘彦.’ As the meaning of these Chinese characters has been passed down from ancient times, Hangeul would be written as ‘선비(Seonbi)’. Looking into words related to these three Chinese characters, there are various types of Confucian scholars. Seonbi in the era of Three Kingdoms and Koryo Dynasty generally tended to be well versed in scriptures based on manners of Confucian scholar in Chinese Tang Dynasty; well acquainted with history and; aspire after their high honors through poetry or writing. As Chengzhu Neo-Confucianism(程朱性理學) was accepted in late Koryo and early Joseon Dynasty, the word Seonbi did not merely mean one who sought one's success but one regarded as existence with the primacy of the country. When Neo-Confucianism became universal, Seonbi was a main agent who guided public opinion and fulfilled one’s duties with thoroughness to Neo-Confucianist ideology. Especially when the country was in difficulty, Seonbi was categorized into various types depending on their responses to reality to overcome the difficulty. However, they all similarly exhibited true Seonbi spirit through Neo-Confucianist Theory of Justice(義理論). Presenting various types of Seonbi active in different times, this study is to help to recognize the cultural identity and spiritual values of the nation and their sense of reality.