先秦 諸子百家의 修辭意識과 물[水] 개념 고찰

Abstract

“All philosophers and scholars(諸子百家)”, it is a term used to refer to the various schools thought and their exponents during the pre-Qin times(先秦). Their learning was a comprehensive reference to the philosophers of the Chinese schools during the ancient China. Confucius, Lao-tzu, Xunzi and Hanfeizi were representative of the All philosophers and scholars. Through making a lecture and writing on their thought, they were to awaken the true meaning of all things in the universes. It was the beginning of rhetoric in the ancient China. They generally understood water as the source of all things and frequently used water as a rhetorical device. Confucius said “Some people like mountains while others like water.(樂山樂水), Lao-tzu said “Water’s virtue is the highest goodness.(上善若水)”. Xunzi used this idea to think about his social and political doctrine, and said “Water can bear up and can also capsize it.(水則載舟, 水則覆舟.)” Hanfeizi understood that maintaining level is the chief element of water, and devised a method of constitutionalism. It is that due rewards and punishments will be meted out without fail(信賞必罰). All philosophers and scholars during the pre-Qin times studied the philosophy of a matter, but concentrated their energy on making a application of the political reality and public expectations. I am sure that it was caused by the hieroglyphic’ element of inscriptions on bones and tortoise carapaces(甲骨文字), and had a bad effect upon logical thinking of ancient Chinese Sinology.