인성교육에서 전통적 가치의 현대적 확장 연구 -성실과 정직의 연관관계를 중심으로-

Abstract

In the aim of exploring the interrelation between sincerity and honesty in modern moral education in South Korea, this paper puts an in-depth study on the traditional Confucian concepts and significance of sincerity and honesty by investigating the correlation between these two virtues to explore their modern value expansion. In Confucianism, sincerity(誠) is the genuine principle inherent in human nature, characterized by unwavering truthfulness and the concept of signifying that without sincerity, there is nothing substantial(不誠無物). Sincerity, as a virtue, involves firmly embracing and satisfying benevolence (善) as a rightful path, coupled with a mind that harbors neither self-reproach(無自慊) nor self-deception(毋自欺), embodying fairness and selflessness. Honesty is emphasized in moral education as a principle that should be cultivated through inner cultivation. Rectitude(直) is the inherent physiological principle bestowed upon all things and humans, embodying virtue, and is the essence of the mind(心). Honesty involves manifesting the inherent principle of rectitude in the real world through filial piety, loyalty, and brotherly love (孝忠悌), becoming the standard of impartiality(至公無私) in life and death. It is a virtue and attitude characterized by upright and straightforward conduct(無私曲), a practice of humanity(人道) that should rightly be displayed and demonstrated in all human affairs. The mutual correlation between these two virtues lies in the fact that sincerity and rectitude, represented respectively by nothing substantial(不誠無物) and the celestial principle of revealing the righteousness by speaking frankly, share a common underlying principle. It is also shared in the sense of possessing a heart committed to impartiality. Furthermore, in facing the practical realities of human affairs(萬事), both virtues entail not deceiving oneself and finding satisfaction, thereby appropriately embodying virtues that should be realized to avoid succumbing to selfish desires. In this regard, these virtues have a mutually synonymous significance. The virtues of sincerity and honesty are considered the most demanded and influential aspects of moral education in the field of character development. Moreover, it is acknowledged that these virtues are crucial for education in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. In light of this, the current state of the existing South Korean character education laws and ethical education curriculum reveals limitations and issues. Consequently, this study suggests a clear and novel understanding and learning of the expanded concepts and significance of sincerity and honesty, as well as the modern values related to the synonymous correlation of these two virtues. These should be recognized and incorporated as explicit learning content within the curriculum of character education, including ethical and moral education, reflecting the demands of the modern era.