근대 중국에서 미신의 비판과 옹호 — 량치차오와 루쉰을 중심으로 —

Abstract

This study investigates the various modernization projects which gave rise to modern China by comparing and contrasting the attitudes to superstition(and thus to religion) of Liang Qi-chao(梁啓超) and Lu Xun(魯迅). Liang Qi-chao was critical of superstition and religion at the initial stages of modernization, but intended to make use of them subsequently. He believed that they hinder the determination of truth and the progress of learning, but intended ultimately to utilize superstition and religion to contribute to social integration and to develop moderation(in the sense of self-control). In particular, Liang was interested in the role that Buddhism might play as an effective means to cultivate moderation and self-control. Liang’s view was that Buddhism could be helpful in realizing a modern nation, because, by emphasizing that every human being is capable of acquiring wisdom equal to that of the Buddhist saints(Bodhisattvas), it inspires devotion to the state and encourages a patriotic spirit. In contrast, Lu Xun rejected criticisms of superstition, considering that superstition performs an invaluable role in human society, as can be seen from communal ceremonies. According to Lu, superstition is a product of Shen-Si (神思), which is the sensibility to feel awe and wonder in response to the mysteries of nature. He felt that this sensibility is the driving force of the creative arts; and that it also provides the psychological foundation,along with metaphysical desire, for the birth of religion. He also believed Shen-Si (神思) to be essential to the development of science, because it is a sort of imaginative power which is needed for the formulation of the hypotheses required by science. Liang Qi-chao sought to criticize, and ultimately to utilize, superstition (and religion) in order to establish and develop a modern nation-state,whereas Lu Xun focused on the cultivation of individuality and subjectivity,for which he sought to protect superstition. From this study, we can confirm that people tend to appropriate the same concept in different ways,according to their own particular questions and motivations.