『순자』에 있어서 ‘統類’의 의미 분석

Abstract

In succeeding the philosophies of Confucius, Xun Zi attempted to alter concepts to fit the conditions of his time. Xun Zi regarded the ‘Gunja(Gentleman),’ who served as the vessel carrying out the law, as superior to the law and viewed enlightenment through rule according the principle of ‘Propriety(禮)’ as a more ideal form of government. The ‘Propriety(禮)’ proposed by Xun Zi is not something formulated by a particular enlightened mind alone or something developed in a single generation. Rather, it is the culmination of outputs developed and collected through time by enlightened minds of each era. The progress of history and gradual changes applied to the concept of ‘Governance(治道)’ share a complex yet common principle. That is the ‘Discipline and Regulations(統類)’ and ‘Propriety and Justice Unity System(禮義之統)' that Xun Zi had argued. This concept of ‘Discipline and Regulations(統類)’ is a unique concept proposed by Xun Zi. Here, ‘Discipline(統)’ means universal and ‘Regulation(類)’ means special. Xun Zi called those who had mastered the art of ‘Discipline and Regulations(統類)’ and were capable of using it to respond to changes in objects as ‘Great Confucianist(大儒),’ ‘Saint(聖人),’ and ‘Holy King(聖王).’ Therefore the concept of ‘Discipline and Regulations(統類)’ is related to action. It is clear that ‘Discipline and Regulations(統類)’ is not a stage one can reach by fulfilling the innate character of mankind to do good or by understanding ‘Nature Law(天理).’ In other words, ‘Discipline and Regulations(統類)’ is a custom for courtesy penetrating the ‘Governance(治道)’ of ‘Past King(先王)’ and ‘Near Past King(後王)’ however it is not a type of transcendant ‘Nature Law(天理).’ ‘Discipline and Regulations(統類)’ simply refers to the wisdom to learn from historical events and view those experiences in a objectified elements. As such, ‘Discipline and Regulations(統類)’ does not have an absolute basis or foundation.