진화심리학의 도덕 개념과 유가의 도덕 개념의 비교 연구

Abstract

Confucius asserts that a moral concept of Confucianism must be worked relatively based on a blood relationship by criticizing a man who believes that he is honest by reporting his father for stealing a sheep in 'The Analects of Confucius.' He says that honesty should be overlooking his father’s misdeed in this case, in that Confucianism claims that moral standards should be differentially applied depending on blood relationships, and then that expands to the society. However, the moral norms of Confucianism which are based on a blood relationship became a conservative concept after the modernization. Interestingly, in the mid-20th century, this moral concept was re-illuminated by the appearance of evolutionary psychology. New perspectives from evolutionary psychology give scientific grounds for the Confucianism. It is clear that the notion of a human is fundamentally different between Confucianism and evolutionary psychology. Evolutionary psychology regards humans as an animal species. In contrast, Confucianism insists that humanity has unique traits in of itself. However, both have the same starting point, given that emotions cause thinking and activate moral behavior. Mencius sees the feelings of disinception and self-interest as the basis of moral behavior. Evolutionary psychology claims that human behavior evolves into an interaction between heredity and adaptation. Also, Confucius argues that although the nature of birth is similar, it is subsequently changed by habit. So, in what aspects is the origin of morality based on emotion? This paper will look at how Confucius' morality and evolutionary psychology have the same starting point, focusing on feelings of altruism and morality. Then, it will ascertain the fact that emotions arising from blood relationships alone cannot establish moral laws. Finally, evolutionary psychology does not explain the rationalization of emotions as moral laws, so this paper aims to explain universal morality that cannot be explained by simple emotions through Confucius' concept.