星湖學派의 王覇論 — 星湖와 茶山을 중심으로 —

Abstract

This study examines Seongho School’s view on Wangpae Theory(王覇論) highlighted especially by Mencius as a political theory on the rule of right and the rule of might from a comparative perspective. This article studies the Wangpae Theory of Mencius who discussed it meaningfully and in Sung Dynasty beforehand and compares the Wangpae Theory of Hwang Jong Hui(黃宗羲) and Ito Jinsai, the scholars of East Asia comparable with Seongho School to examine the meaning of Seongho School’s Wangpae Theory. In comparison of the Wangpae Theory of Hwang Jong Hui and Ito Jinsai, it can be seen that Seongho’s Wangpae Theory establishes a great contribution and a realistic situation to maintain a progressive view to Wangpae. Dasan also appreciated Gwanjung’s worldly wisdom and practical achievements positively. This is closer to reality one step further than Hwang Jong Hui’s view which defeats achievements and emphasizes the division of Wangpae with character. Of course, it does not distinctively stick to the view on the name of Wangpae which Ito Jinsai exhibits or the sight on the mixed use of Wangpae; however, it is noticeable that it generally holds fast to an open and flexible view on the matter of using the rule of might when the rule of right is not soundly manifested. Especially the logic suggested by Seongho as comparing the acts of Qin Shi Huang and Je Hwan Gong(齊桓公)⋅Jin Mun Gong(晉文公) is a view as flexible and realistic as that the rule of might shown by Jang Sik (張栻), a scholar of Sung Dynasty, opens its possibility to convert to the rule of right. This kind of introspection is good enough to be appreciated in that it overcomes the stubborn contrastive consciousness internalized in Wangpae Theory and is useful to figure out positive, feasible elements in Wangpae Theory developmentally.