『중용』의 ‘參贊化育’과 교황 회칙 『찬미받으소서(Laudato Si')』의 비교적 고찰

Abstract

In this paper, we intend to reconstruct the thought system of the Zhongyong from the viewpoint of ecological ethics. Various concepts in early Confucianism, such as that of “giving rise to life without ceasing” in the Yijing, or that of “forming the self and forming others” and “transforming heaven and earth through participating and assisting in their generative processes” found in the Zhongyong reflect the view of human and natural nature as connected to the fostering of life, or in Confucian parlance, ren or benevolence. The goal of humans is to realize their true nature of 'benevolence', and 'benevolence' is realized through the process of formation of the self and the other, which result in the salvation not only of human lives but also of all other beings in the ecosphere. Even if Confucian ethics does not specifically address modern conceptions of ecological or environmental issues, its reinterpretation in the context of contemporary ecological crisis has significance in the present. The Zhongyong and the Yijing take recourse to the model of family community when seeking to account for the natural world. In this communal model, not only humans but also all life in the natural world are regarded as equal progenies of heaven. According to this vision, rather than exploiting each other or living in confrontation, each member of the community should have its own status and role in the cosmic family community and be faithful in their respective roles to contribute to the prosperity and development of the entire community. These reflections have recently taken place in many Christian church communities, including the Catholic Church. Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’, which was promulgated on June 18, 2015, reviews the crisis facing modern earth that affects all living creatures including humans. The encyclical points out that humans in modern society are indiscriminately plundering nature, forgetting that they are a part of an intrinsic cycle in the cosmic community, and calls for the resolution of the crisis through spiritual reflection, based on respect for the mother earth and caring for all beings such as shown by St. Francis of Assisi. The encyclical stresses the need for fundamental change in human behavior, and urges us to realize that human nature is characterized not only by freedom but also by forming part and parcel of the universe as one of its generative components in a cosmic correlation. This is yet another philosophical and religious expression of the ecological vision contained in the Zhongyong, albeit from a different cultural background.