旅軒 張顯光의 교육관 탐구 — 성리학적 본질의 심화 —

Abstract

Jang Hyeon-gwang(張顯光, 1554-1637), whose pseudonym or courtesy name is ‘Yeoheon(旅軒)’, had made a thorough study on the intrinsic nature of Neo-Confucianism in a more sincere fashion, when comparing him with other Neo-Confucianists in Joseon period. Also he was a renowned scholar who expanded its philosophical system in-depth. Yeoheon thereby had strengthened his philosophical system accordant with the Great Learning(大學) and Doctrine of the Mean(中庸), which are the fundamental systems of Neo-Confucianistic education. Based on such considerations, Yeoheon’s thought on education can be illuminated from three different perspectives. First, Yeoheon deepened his a theory of good governance by a virtuous ruler(聖人君主論, pronounced, ‘Seongingunjuron’) as the standard of education. Essentially, his theory pursues Refraining from desire, and preserving the laws of nature(存天理遏人欲, pronounced, ‘Joncheolliarinnyok’), and put emphasis on ethical awakening, and the governance through a virtue of moral excellence. Second, Yeoheon stressed the learning theories related to ‘sincerity’ or true heart(誠) and ‘piety’ or ‘respect’(敬)) as the form of education(誠敬, pronounced, ‘Seonggyeong’). Also he expounded that people needs “to establish a ground of Respect and Sincerity in their mind.” He recognized the differences between the two virtues, meanwhile, however, he understood it as in an identical context. Third, Yeoheon advocated harmony between separation and integration(分合, pronounced, ‘Bunhap’) as a method for education. Through his unique ‘Discourse on Longitude and Latitude’, dubbed, ‘Li-Gi Gyeongwiseol (理氣經緯說) in which the principle(Li, 理) is equal to the intrinsic energy or material force(Gi, 氣), he maintained his view on the Doctrine of the Mean, in that he was not inclined to either sides according to the logic of Change(易, pronounced ‘Yeok’). When reviewing Yeoheon’s contemplation in education in the meaning of modern education, he laid the standards for education on the establishment of morality, and he also provides us with an idea which induces us to look through the form and method for education from the perspective of Doctrine of the Mean. In short, Yeoheon’s view on education embodies wisdom of traditional Neo-Confucianistic Education having consistency, and it provides for an implication of the review of the importance of the balance in relation to methodological bias toward confusion in the standards for modern education, and unsystematic contents therein.