순암 안정복의 四書 해석

Abstract

This study is on the interpretation of Four Books by Sunam An Jeong-bok. The outcome of studies related to Gyeonghak(經學) (a book of interpreting Four Books) of Sunam An Jeong-bok have been rather lackadaisical compared to his status in academic history. Through a little bit more sophisticated reading method, it is needed to explore in more profoundly for the point of view on his perception and interpretation of Gyeonghak. The academics of Jeongsan Lee Byung-hue and Nokam Gwon Cheol-sin who succeeded the open and progressive perception of Seongho was completed in the era of Dasan, but the outcome accomplished by the Hahak was rather insufficient. On the contrary, the academic line handed down by Sunam through Haryeo Hwang Deok-gil was even more prosperous thereafter through Seongjae Heo Jeon that the publication of 『Seongho-jip』 and 『Sunam-jip』 in the 20th century had the aspect to succeed the academic tradition led from Toegye. Sunam An Jeong-bok specifically emphasized the Hahak in the Hakmungwan of the traditional Confucius family for the Hahak with report to senior. This is attributable to the fact that it was accepted after the 30s when his Hakmungwan was established up to the later years. Under his Gyeonghak study, he placed the primary importance in practicing the clear and manifested true intent rather than emphasizing the search for new meaning Therefore, rather than the approaches for comparing the conventional annotation in analytical way or attaching the opinion of Zhu Xi in more detailed aspect, he had the priority in reading method in additional aspects to understanding the meaning of the main text for more implicative ways or flawless feature in the scriptures of wise men, useful meaning on practice that may be gained from the main text, review on inquiries in the factual interpretation and methods to accurately read the meaning of the main text in the Korean interpretation of Chinese classics. With respect to the scriptures and holy men, he displayed the affection for esteem and respect with the apologetic position and considered Confucius and Zhu Xi as almost the same to focus on proving the flawless feature but with respect to the contradiction on ceremonial rituals and others, such as the issue of righteousness of 'Mengzi Buljonju or marriage or Soon(舜), he made detours or deviation by way of reserving his interpretation or pointing out the errors in the text. In addition, he displayed his fierce practical tendency in reading method of the scriptures and it was particularly conspicuous in the question and answer approach of Confucius and disciples and interpretation on the 'Myeong- myeong-deok (明明德)' of 『Daehak』. Making the criticism of historic data by comparing and reviewing a number of historic bibliographies with the exercise of care in the exposition of paragraph system(名物制度) and others, or projection of experience in civil administration in the acceptance of justifiable terms of Korean interpretation of Chinese classics in reading of main text of the scriptures, interpretation if the cheongsongjang and so forth would be the characteristic aspect for the Four Books interpretation of Sunam that is distinguished from the existing Neo-Confucianism reading method. It is an academic issue of the time that may be enthusiastically assessed with the reforming logics within the Neo-Confucianism that was intended to breakthrough by Sunam as striving for secular learning. As in the case of Dasan, as it was newly interpreted by deviating from the Neo-Confucianism, it demonstrated that Sunam showed the fact that there was a way to have the conversion through the internal innovation of the Neo-Confucianism interpretation other than the method of penetrating the issues of the Neo-Confucianism interpretation and this is related to the organic features of interpreting the scriptures and its practical context, and for Sunam, it was responded with the serious pursuit of bibliographic critique on truth of text and logics of the Hahak. Furthermore, it would be noted for the view of understanding the scriptures with the condition of practice and certain pursuit in understanding on the fact itself. In the foregoing points, the interpretation of Four Books by Sunam should be evaluated enthusiastically as the attempt for reformation within the Neo- Confucianism, and under this point, it also could be attributed as the deployment of Silhak(實學, practical studies) that has slightly different point of view.