심대윤의 격물치지(格物致知) 개념 연구

Abstract

This paper reviewed the meaning of Shim Dae-yoon's (沈大允, 1806~1872) concept of the Gewuzhizhi 格物致知. Shim, a Confucian scholar of the Joseon, claimed that Gewuzhizhi is necessary because of the functional characteristics of human jungsin 精神 & myeongji 明知, and the essential characteristics of the human mind(心) that becomes good or evil according to what one sees. It is also explained that the effect of the Gewuzhizhi is infinite, which allows us to know not only the actual conditions of the human beings(人情) but also the actual conditions of the various events(事情) and the actual conditions of the various things(物情). Furthermore, Shim argued that the Saint(聖人) taught everyone to do zhõng-shù 忠恕 with great effort because it is a miracle principle of moral practice that allows us to do things what we've learned from the Gewuzhizhi, and Gewuzhizhi and zhõng-shù are the great Confucian principles that all the people of the world can benefit(利) and be comfortable(安) together. Shim Dae-yoon's concept of a Gewuzhizhi clearly demonstrates his sense of social problem in the 19th century, when the authority of Confucius fell to the ground and various civil disturbances and oppression caused social chaos. Shim Dae-yoon wanted to break away from the great past of Zhu-Xi(朱熹), who focused on moral righteousness, to redefine the Tao of Confucius as something that could make beneficial and comfortable of the people. To this end, Shim wanted to preach the core concept of Confucius, Gewuzhizhi, to the general public as an easy and simple practical way of doing zhõng-shù.