다산 심성론의 체계와 쟁점

Abstract

Fundamentally dismantling the Neo-confucian speculation on human nature and mind/heart, Chung Yak-yong (penname Tasan). presented a theory which provided a dynamic new outlook on human existence, Thereby he suggested a way for building an individual's character and realizing the ideal of society. According to Tasan's theory, the human mind/heart is a 'substance of intelligence. and it is human nature that the mind/heart prefers good over evil. Thus defining human nature as an attribute of the mind/heart, Tasan radically challenged the Neo-confucian position which advocated human nature as the substance of the mind/heart. Furthermore, by its positive understanding of human desire. this theory of human nature and mind/heart provided a basis for overcoming the Neo-confucian self-cultivation theory which aspired to repress and eradicate human desires, Morality, Tasan thought, is realizable through autonomous determi- nation by the mind/heart. which is comparable to a battle field between the desire-oriented mind and the principle-oriented mind. Also. human virtue is not innately given in man's original nature, but acquired as the result of moral actions, Basically. the 'intelligence' of the mind/heart is a unique human capacity which makes moral actions possible, unlike 'growth' or 'perception' which non-human living things are also endowed with. Therefore. what essentially distinguishes human beings from non-human beings is. the human capacity to act morally.