『교남교육회잡지』소재 개신유교 담론의 양상

Abstract

The enlightened intellectuals of Qing and Japan borrowed the traditional Confucian concept as a way to effectively embrace Western knowledge. It had an impact on the modernization of East Asia and the academia of the Korean Empire. A case that shows well the influence of the theory of ‘Eastern Body, Western Use’ is the Gyonam Education Association, a group that promotes national strength through enlightenment during the Korean Empire. The Gyonam Education Association executives use the concept of Confucianism in the process of persuading the ruling class, Confucian intellectuals, about the need for education on western studies. In other words, the aspect of the Gyonam Education Association’s theory of ‘Eastern Body, Western Use’ can be a clue to understanding the influence of the theory during the Korean Empire. The aspect of the Gyonam Education Association can be divided into three characteristics. First, it is western use and eastern body. Second, it is innovation and practicality. Third, it is morality and civilization. ‘Western use and eastern body’ establishes the body-use relationship between Confucianism and Western studies to make Confucianism as the basis in accepting Western studies. It can be found in the discourse on the subject of new and old studies. ‘Innovation and practicality’ proves that innovativeness, which is the essence of Western studies, is embedded in Confucianism to use Confucianism as a means of embracing Western studies. For instance, it presented ‘innovating the old to be new/restoration’ ‘adaptability/timeliness,’ ‘investigating to know surely/practicality’ as the basis of argument for the innovativeness, variability, and practicality of Confucianism. ‘Morality and civilization’ proved how the morality of Confucianism is related to the innovation of Western studies to make Confucianism the root of innovation. For example, it presented moral education as the secret in the development of Western civilization, elaborated on the body-use relationship between morality and technology, and explained how to realize moral ethics.