18세기 호서학파(湖西學派)의 성리학적 특징으로 본 충청의 로컬리티(locality)

Abstract

This paper aims to identify and reveal the 'locality' of Chungcheong through the ‘Inmulseongdong Theory’ (theory that human beings and animals have the same or different nature) of the 18th Hoseo Confucian Academy. First of all, I have examined the reason why the Hoseo Confucian Academy was branched out into Horon(湖論) and Nangnon(洛論) against the social and political backdrops of the then Joseon Dynasty, followed by academic activities and political activities by academic line as well as the Inmulseongnon (人物性論, theory of nature between humans and animals). Horon, the primary theory among Hoseo Confucian scholars maintain the theory of natural difference between humans and animals because they believed that the nature of benevolence, righteousness, propriety and wisdom exist in humans only based on ‘Ingijil (因氣質)’. This served as a logical ground that moral human beings (Noron, Sinocentric中華, Reason理) should take the lead in fixing the world messed up by animals (men of small character, Qing/Japa, and Energy氣). However, Horon became distanced from the central political power as they failed to actively and skillfully deal with turbulent changes at home and abroad and maintained its root only in the local community of Chungcheong. The implications of the locality of the early 18th Hoseo Confucian Academy based on these findings are as follows. First, they place high emphasis on loyalty and principle. Second, they have strong tendency of serving as practitioners of orthodox neo-Confucian. Third, they have a strong will to inherit and succeed the spirit of Confucian scholars that emphasizes moral standards and virtues. They also maintain a culture of free, intellectual and detailed discussions with conservative nature that embraces flexibility and openness. These characteristics of the locality of the 18th century Hoseo Confucian Academy have passed down to modern-day Chungcheong. The locality of the 18th century Hoseo Confucian Scholars may seem absurd and anachronistic to modern-day people who have priorities on ostensible beauty and calculation of gains and losses but also, and more importantly, serves as a reminder of the priceless value of living a life of moral value, loyalty and honor.