Confucian View of Self-realization and Context of Life: With a focus on Viewpoint of Confucius and Mencius

유교의 자아실현과 삶의 맥락 - 공자와 맹자의 시선을 중심으로 -

The aim of this research was to examine the traditional Confucian view of self-realization in East Asia and the meaning of life implied therein. The researcher closely reviewed the phase of self-realization of both Confucius and Mencius who are central in Confucianism, especially in the primordial Confucianism, and after investigating maturity of personality as well as educational characteristics thereof, the researcher tried to elicit its modern significance. In Analects, Confucius who is the founder of Confucianism mentioned about 'the pleasure of studying and practicing what he has learned'(學而時習 "Hagisiseup" in Korean), since after, his past was then just the process of self-realization that lasted throughout life. That is, the six phases of self-realization, to wit, 'bending on learning(志學, "Jihak")-'standing firm'(而立, "Irip")-'having no doubts'(不惑, "Bulhok")-'knowing the decrees of Heaven'(知天命, "Jicheonmyeong")-'ear being obedient organ for the reception of truth' (耳順, "Isun")-'able to follow what my heart desires without transgressing what is right'(從心, "Jongsim"), are lying hidden and undeveloped during lifetime, and, at the same time, these phases illustrate the state of enlightenment of life in an in-depth manner. By showing the process of living which is being sublimated in respect of quality, and by going through important process of self-innovation up to six times during lifetime, Confucius edifies us the activity of complete self-realization as well as the importance of education and learning. Meanwhile, these are connected to Mencius in a similar pattern, and strong influence of the characteristics of the learning of the mind and heart( 心學, "Simhak") based on his philosophy permeates the self-actualization phase of Mencius. Mencius' self-actualization phase is expressed in terms of six stages, viz., Person of Goodness(善人, "Seonin")-Trustworthy Person(信人, "Sinin")-Person of Beauty(美人, "Miin")-Great Person(大人, "Daein")-Sage(聖人, "Seongin")-Divine Person(神人, "Sinin"), and these six phases of self-actualization process are educational and learning model for people who dream actualization of perfect personality during their lifetime. Confucian and Mencian view of self-realization congruent with self-discipline internally, and it also reveals a stereotype of human externally. These are a process of performing organic ideals in order for cultivating oneself and regulating others(修己治人, pronounced 'sugichiin' in Korean) which has been pursued by Confucianism. Briefly, these self-realization phases are the arts of living that will lay foundation for "Being Born Human, pronounced Saramim' in Korean" and for becoming "Fully Human, 'Sarmadoem'" and finally for "Human Feelingness, 'Saramdaum'

본고의 핵심은 동아시아 전통 유교의 자아실현 과정과 그에 함축된 삶의 의의를 짚어보려는 것이다. 유교에서도 원시유교의 중심을 차지하는 공자와 맹자의 자아실현 단계를 검토하고 인격의 성숙과 교육적 특징을 고찰한 후, 그 현대적 의미를 도출해 본다. 유교의 창시자인 공자가 『논어』에서 학이시습(學而時習)을 언급한 이후, 그의 행적은 평생 동안 지속되는 자아실현의 과정이다. 즉, 지학(志學)-이립(而立)-불혹(不惑)-지천명(知天命)-이순(耳順)-종심(從心)에 이르는 자아실현 단계는 삶의 온축(蘊蓄)인 동시에 인생의 깨달음을 심도 있게 보여준다. 이는 삶의 과정이 질적으로 승화하고 있다는 점과 평생에 걸쳐 여섯 번이나 주요한 자기 변화 과정을 거치면서 철저한 자아실현의 능동성과 교육 및 학습의 중요성을 깨우쳐 주고 있다. 공자를 사숙한 맹자에게서도 인격성숙은 이와 유사한 패턴으로 이어지는데, 맹자의 자아구현 단계는 그의 철학에 근거한 심학(心學)적 특성이 짙게 배어 있다. 이는 선인(善人)-신인(信人)-미인(美人)-대인(大人)-성인(聖人)-신인(神人)으로 표출되는데, 이런 여섯 단계의 자아성숙 과정은 평생 동안 완벽한 인격을 꿈꾸는 교육과 학습의 모델이다. 공자와 맹자의 자아실현관은 내면적으로는 자기단련이고 외면적으로는 인간의 전형(典型)을 드러낸다. 그것은 유교가 지향하는 수기치인(修己治人)의 유기체적 이념을 수행하는 과정이다. 요컨대, '사람임'에서 '사람됨'을 거쳐 '사람다움'을 다지는 삶의 예술이다.