여헌 장현광의 정치운영론과 성리설

Abstract

Chang Hyun-kwang(張顯光, 1554~1570), a prominent Neo-Confucian of Joseon in the late 16th and early 17th centuries, didn`t suggest concretely how to manage the country. He just emphasized the importance of harmony among court officials and unity among Confucian scholars in principle. He thought that if the king realized his moral nature, which is also the first principle, that is, the Mandate of Heaven, the unity among Confucian scholars could be achieved and the country is well ruled. So a certain researcher characterized his political theory as one of a moderate harmony among political fractions. In general speaking, it is can be called a kind of a theory of a sage king, based on geongeuknon(建極論). Though Jang belonged to the Toegye School, his theory of Li(principle) and Ch`i(gi, material force), what is called li-gi-gyeong-wi-seol(理氣經緯說), was not similar to Toegye's. He emphasized, unlike Toegye Lee Hwang, the unity of Li and Ch´i, and strongly criticized the theories of dividing Li and Ch´i. His political theory for running the country and his theory of Li and Ch`i seem to be are alike in maintaining unity. However, the main purpose of making his theory of Li and Ch`i is not to support his theory for running the country, but to show his metaphysical thinking on the Tao that the universal process is accomplished by the unity of Li and Ch´i.