Bridging Moral Individuals and a Moral Society in Dasan’s Philosophy

According to Zhu Xi, individuals are transformed into moral beings through the cultivation of their character, and the increase of moral individuals therefore leads to the generation of a moral society. While acknowledging that moral success through such cultivation produces moral heroes, Dasan Jeong Yak-yong argued that inner cultivation alone could not produce moral individuals and a moral society because in reality humans have a myriad of conflicting desires and fluctuating volitions. Without confining morality to the purification of inner mind, Dasan considered both inner reflection and external practice grounded on free will to be necessary. Through both, he believed, individuals attain a personal sense of responsibility and preside over the entire process of morality. Although in reality there are personal differences, people can partake proactively in the construction of a moral society. In this regard, Dasan is credited with shifting the focus of Confucianism from the sage and his inner reflection to common people and practice.

keywords: Dasan, Jeong Yak-yong, cultivating oneself and bringing peace to others, power of autonomy, Confucianism for action, moral individual, moral society

참고문헌

Cheng, Hao 程顥, and Cheng Yi 程頣. n.d. Ercheng yishu 二程遺書 (Posthumous Writings of the Cheng Brothers).

Dong, Zhongshu 童仲舒. n.d. Chunqiu fanlu 春秋繁露 (Luxuriant Gems of the Spring and Autumn Annals).

Jeong, Yak-yong 丁若鏞. n.d. Yeoyudang jeonseo 與猶堂全書 (Complete Works of Yeoyudang Jeong Yak-yong).

Laozi 老子 (The Teachings of Laozi).

Shijing 詩經 (Book of Odes).

Shujing 書經 (Book of Documents).

Wang, Yangming 王陽明. n.d. Chuanxilu 傳習錄 (Instructions for Practical Living).

Yijing 易經 (Book of Changes).

Zhongyong 中庸 (Doctrine of the Mean).

10.

Zhou, Dunyi 周敦頤. n.d. Taiji tushuo 太極圖說 (An Explanation of the Diagram of the Great Ultimate).

11.

Zhuzi yulei 朱子語類 (Classified Conversations of Zhu Xi).

12.

Ahn, Daehoe. 2003. “Joseon hugi jachan myojimyeong yeongu” (A Study of Autobiographical Epitaphs in Late Joseon Period). Hanguk hanmunhak yeongu (Journal of Korean Literature in Hanmun) 31.

13.

Bae, Byeong-sam. 2002. “Dasan-ui yuhak segye: jojeokje-ui jeongchihak” (Jeong Yak-yong’s Confucianism: Politics of the Performance Assessment Program). Dongyang jeongchi sasangsa (History of East Asian Political Thought) 1.

14.

Baik, Min-jung. 2007. Jeong Yak-yong-ui cheolhak: Zhu Xi-wa Matteo Ricci-reul neomeo saeroun segye-ro (Jeong Yak-yong’s Philosophy: Toward a New System beyond Zhu Xi and Matteo Ricci). Seoul: Ihaksa.

15.

Ivanhoe, Philip J. 2000. Confucian Moral Self Cultivation. 2nd ed. Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Co.

16.

Kim, Ji-yong, trans. 1991. Jeong Dasan simunseon: gyeongse jemin-ui jakpum-eul jungsim-euro (Anthology of Dasan Jeong Yak-yong’s Poetry: Focusing on the Works on Governance of the World and Salvation of People). Seoul: Gyomunsa.

17.

Kim, Mun-sik. 1996. Joseon hugi gyeonghak sasang yeongu (A Study of the Studies of Confucian Classics in Late Joseon Period). Seoul: Ilchokak.

18.

Sim, Kyung-Ho. 2009. Naemyeon gihaeng (A Glimpse into Our Ancestors’ Inner Life). Seoul: Igaseo.

19.

Song, Young Bae, et al. 2000. Hanguk yuhak-gwa rigi cheolhak (Korean Philosophy and the I-Gi Philosophy). Seoul: Yemoon Seowon.

20.

Zhang, Pinxing 張品興, ed. 1999. Liang Qichao quanji 梁啓超全集 (Complete Works of Liang Qichao). Vol. 2. Beijing: Beijing Press.

바로가기메뉴

논문 상세

Vol.53 No.2

Bridging Moral Individuals and a Moral Society in Dasan’s Philosophy

Abstract

참고문헌

Korea Journal