王夫之와 丁若鏞의 『中庸』, 首章 ‘天命之謂性’에 대한 註釋 比較硏究

Abstract

<Moderation(中庸)> is a very important Confucian scripture that comprehensively deals with Confucian spirituality, ontology, and cultivation theory. This thesis examines and compares the comments of Wang Fuji 王夫之(船山, 1619~1692) and Jeong Yak-yong丁若鏞(茶山, 1762~1836) on ‘What Heaven has commanded is nature’ in Chapter 1 of <Moderation(中庸)> We want to highlight the similarities and differences. It is also a work to compare studying in China and studying in Korea through Wang Fu-ji and Jeong Yak-yong. Let’s take a look at Wang Fu-ji and Jeong Yak-yong’s interpretation of <Moderation(中庸)> Chapter 1, ‘What Heaven has commanded is nature’. First, from the perspective of ‘Heaven’, according to Wang Fu-ji, ‘Heaven is an accumulation of Ki(氣)’, and ‘Heaven’ is an impersonal and non-dominant natural Heaven. For Jeong Yak-yong, ‘Heaven(天)’ is a personal Sangjecheon as an eternal, intangible lord. In the yin-yang and five elements, the 'Heaven' is the movement of the yin-yang and five elements, and the yin-yang and five elements are both the body and the action. Jeong Yak-yong emphasizes that the yin-yang and five elements are created when the sun shines or blocks, and there is no constitution, only light and shade. Second, Wang Fu-ji emphasizes that ‘Command(命) is a law’. Jeong Yak-yong is 'Command(命) is the voice of the heart of the Way'. Third, in ‘Nature(性)’, Wang Fu-ji is different from Joo-hee in that the Nature(性) is ‘The principle of life(Li of life)’, which does not deny ‘Seongjeon-ri(性卽理)’, but ‘Li(理’) is the li of Ki. Jeong Yak-yong emphasizes that ‘Nature(性) is something we like’. Wang Fu-ji and Jeong Yak-yong, in the same sentence, 'What Heaven commands is nature (天命之謂性)', the emphasis on 'Command(命)' and 'Nature(性)', respectively, indicates a difference in their viewpoints. However, it is the common view of Wang Bu-ji and Jeong Yak-yong to emphasize human practicality by limiting ‘Command(命)’ and ‘Nature(性)’ to only humans. Fourth, both Wang Fu-ji and Jeong Yak-yong use the historical evidence of their predecessors as their theoretical basis in their writing methods, and criticize and cite the Confucian scholars of their predecessors. The purpose of Wang Fu-ji is to reveal a practical Moderation(中庸) philosophy that is distinct from the Neo-Confucianism of Song dynasty. Jeong Yak-yong's interpretation of <Moderation(中庸)>, which is distinct from the existing Joseon Neo-Confucianism, is also in line with Wang Fu-ji in that it emphasizes the need to understand from a practical standpoint. Wang Fu-ji and Jeong Yak-yong strongly emphasized the practical nature of 'Middle-yong' and tried to not only show the entire contents of <Moderation(中庸)> in a condensed way, but also to suggest the practical philosophical direction of Confucianism. Although Wang Fu-ji and Jeong Yak-yong have different times and regions, it is meaningful that they can find commonalities.