율곡의 친친(親親)사상 실천 연구

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to propose a practice based on personality and the restoration of personality in contemporary society in which mammonism and individualism are prevalent, especially through practicing Yulgok’s theory of personality and Chinchin theory which was shown in his life. Yulgok argued that practicing four virtues(benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom), cultivating the mind, and learning with right mind and mastering it with an active comprehension of moral standards will lead to morally ideal society. He argued that Daedongsahoi will become strengthened when morally ideal society is realized by lots of people revealing virtue. Many studies on Yulgok in various fields have been conducted but there are few investigations that highlight the point that practicing philosophy is not far from real life. One of confucianism’s important roles is to pursue the formation of right character and the establishment of order and courtesy through education. Therefore, to see the restoration of human nature which is seriously required in contemporary society through Confucianists’ thoughts is meaningful. Confucianism basically considers men to be moral and thus the discussion of moral practice based on Yulgok’s theory of personality is in the same context as what Confucianists’ thoughts aim to achieve. This paper studies the practice of Chinchin thought while focusing on Yulgok’s theory of personality among his thoughts, and therefore conducts an analysis of content based on his works and data which are obtained through scholars’ studies. For this purpose, in section 2, Yulgok’s theory of personality is mainly discussed and in section 3, the practice of personality is discussed, giving examples of Chinchin thought which he put into action. The finding of this study will contribute to letting people know that studying philosophy is associated with a universal practice beyond thinking.