『대학공의(大學公議)』를 통한 인성 개념의 탐구

Abstract

Tasan(茶山) Jeong Yak-yong's 『Daxue-Gongyi (大學公議)』 represents a unique reinterpretation of 『Daxue』, diversing from Zhūxī(朱熹)'s approach to explore the authentic essence of Confucianism and its practical implications. This paper delves into the historical context of philosophical debates, elucidates the concept of character from an educational standpoint, highlighting ethical virtues that promote a harmonious relationship between the self and society in a new era. Tasan's interpretation of Confucian principles, such as 'Faithfulness (忠)' and 'Tolerance (恕)' as the Tao(道) of Confucianism, is explored through his concepts of Inferential 'Sympathetic Consideration (推恕)' and 'Inclusive Tolerance (容恕),' demonstrating a spirit of accommodation in human relationships. Furthermore, Tasan perceives 'Sincerity (誠)' as 'the beginning and end of all things (物之終始)', an integral part of personal cultivation (修身) and governance (治人), viewing the investigation of things and the extension of knowledge (格物致知) and the Sincerity·Upright Mind (誠意正心) as simultaneous endeavors. In discusssing the notion of "New People (新民)" in the context of Three Doctrines, Tasan embreaces the dual meanings of familiarity and newness. Methodologically, Tasan's interprets 'New People (新民)' not as selecting means for political ends, but as embodying educational purposes, aligning with the principle of 'considering others from oneself (絜矩之道).' If the moral principle of calming the world, which embraces tolerance as a societal value, is accepted, then the principle of 'considering others from oneself (絜矩之道),' which incorporates Filial Piety (孝), Brotherhood (弟), and Charity (慈) as educational values, also gains significance. Tasan's interpretation of "Xinmin(新民); New People," as presented in the Three Doctrines, encompasses two senses of the term: familiarity and newness. He argues that the term “unfriendly(不親)” teaches people to reconcile with one another through the Five Precepts(敷五敎), which is the principle of Mingmingde (明明德; illuminating bright virtue), or Filial Piety(孝)·Brotherhood(弟)·Charity(慈) Regarding methodology, Tasan’s interpretation of Xinmin(新民) is not about choosing the best means to achieve a political goal, but rather about practicing educational purposes themselves, which is related to the Xiejuzhidao(絜矩之道; considering others from me) principle. Therefore, if the morality of calming the world, which embraces tolerance as a social value, is accepted, the moral principle of the Xiejuzhidao(絜矩之道), which encompasses Filial Piety(孝)·Brotherhood(弟)·Charity(慈) educational values, becomes also valuable.