조선전기(朝鮮前期) 교사상(敎師像)과 사제(師弟) 관계의 성격

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to analyze expectations for teachers in the Chosun Dynasty, and the criteria of the teacher-student relationship. The Chosun government commended the Confucian teachers who were committed to Confucian instruction in the private sector and produced good results in the civil service examination (gwageo, 科擧). The qualities of an instructor at a government school (gwanhak, 官學) were a knowledge of the classics in terms of intellectual achievement in Confucianism, and proper conduct in terms of their moral character. The moral character of teachers was considered far more important than their Confucian knowledge. There are two aspects of the teacher-student relationship: obedience by the students and respectful discipline by the teachers. According to Iryunhaengsildo, obedience and commitment to the teacher were considered the most important virtues. But the teacher’s respectful treatment of the students was also presented as a virtue. Toegye and Yulgok, there presentative Confucian scholars of the Chosun Dynasty, also emphasized the students’ commitment to their teacher and the teacher’s respect for his students. Toegye insisted that the teachers should not be cruel. Meanwhile, Yulgok emphasized that the quality of a teacher’s education could be judged by the quality of his students. This teacher-student relationship in the Chosun Dynasty is not only a hierarchical relationship, but also an equal relationship, with some limitations.