포저 조익의 경학사상에 나타난 수양관－<<논어천설>>을 중심으로－

Abstract

Jo Ik’s prominent view on self-cultivation is to emphasize practice. Jo Ik’s theory of self-cultivation is divided into two main areas: the execution of jing 敬 and the study of the classics (jingshu 經術), both of which emphasize practice. In executing jing which consists of cunyang 存養 and xingca 省察, what gets first priority is cunyang; however, in fact it is xingca that assumes real significance in that cunyang is achieved through xingca which encompasses inner and outer cultivation. In Jo Ik’s theory, xingcha has strong practical connotations in that its meaning is closer to being alert to wrongful behaviors caused by selfish desire. This practical connotation can also be pointed out in the study of the classics: although this study pursues improvement both in knowledge and behavior, its ultimate goal is placed on behavior. Since the improvement of behavior is promoted in the study of the classics, the role of li 禮 as a norm of conduct is paid less attention. Instead, Jo Ik tends to present li as the proper positions of all things, which is the final state that will be achieved by eliminating selfish desire. Jo Ik’s emphasis on practice in self-cultivation renders a differentiated interpretation of jing in the Lunyu from Zhu Xi’s: Zhu Xi mostly interprets jing as an internal attitude whereas Jo Ik shows a stronger tendency to expand its meaning to an outer attitude. When interpreting Lunyu 1.6, which says study comes after fulfilling one’s everyday duties as a human being, Jo Ik, on the one hand, follows Zhi Xi’s interpretation that puts emphasis on study: everyday duties are not properly carried out if not supported by study. On the other hand, Jo Ik stresses practice by indicating that there is a case in which practice is more urgent than study. Besides, Jo Ik emphasizes being wary of selfish desire and sees li as the proper principles of all things. Since Jo Ik emphasizes practice, some of his interpretations are similar to Wang Yangming’s idea. However, we may reasonably place Jo Ik’s theory within Zhu Xi’s philosophical framework; Jo Ik explored Confucian classics reflecting his viewpoint on moral cultivation which puts special emphasis on practice, utilizing the academic soil of the Joseon dynasty during the late 16th and early 17th centuries when Wang Yangming’s doctrine began to exert influence under a mature understanding of Zhu Xi’s doctrine.