근대 전환기 유교 담론과 도학 개념의 역사적 의미론

Abstract

Confucianism had functioned as the scientific, cultural, social and political foundation of Joseon for a long time, but during the drastic transition period leading to modern times, its dominance was threatened by competition from new religions, including Christianity. Confucian intellectuals of the time, considering themselves responsible for the enlightenment of society and the progress of civilization, were immersed in a dispute between dongdoseogi(the principle of preserving Eastern philosophy while accepting Western technology) and singuhak(old and new learning). However, once Confucianism came to be considered the underlying cause of national ruination, they were compelled to face up to demands for its abolition or comprehensive reformation. With the Japanese pursuing colonialism in earnest, the principal focus of debate became the role of Confucianism in the movement for national independence. Support for ‘little’ Sinocentrism(小中華主義) was eclipsed by rising nationalistic sentiments, and the national role of Confucianism was challenged by pro-Japanese activities. Newspapers like Daedonghakhoewolbo (大東學會月報) and Korea Daily News(大韓每日申報) functioned as the public sphere in a modern way, carrying articles about various arguments concerning ‘Confucianism’, which, though not a new concept from the West, was striving to capture values for the future. The historical semantics of traditional concepts essentially calls into question the way in which existing concepts undergo semantic rupture and transformation and finally disappear from everyday language. While ‘basic concepts’ promote the premodern into the modern, ‘traditional concepts’ function as an element for social transformation, taking issue with the pace and direction of the transition to modernity. In this way, historical semantics can examine the process by which the movement of existing concepts stops and they cease to exist, and can thus contribute to a reappraisal of concepts which have disappeared into the empty space and time of history.