• Korean Educational Research Journal
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.17-33
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• 2019

This study examines the fundamental ethics of practice that Dasan Jung Yak-yong(1762-1836) argued at the book, "Dàxuégōngyì大學公議, The Public debate of Great Learning", by investigating the relationship between main agents of education. "Dàxuégōngyì", the book that Dasan wrote when he was 53 years old at his exiled place, Gangjin. As the title suggested, Dàxuégōngyì, it could be recognized as the impartial view based on the critical perspective to Zhūxǐ(朱憙)'s opinion. Zhuxi focused on the importance of "Great Learning 大學" as a study of the Great people and argued that "Great Learning" is the study for all the people should learn. On the other hand, Dasan claimed that "Tàixuézhīdào太學之道" in "Great Learning" is the study for the prince, not for the normal people. And he also interpreted "Dàxué 大學" as the school for teaching prince. In addition, "Great Learning" suggested the three practical principles; to illustrate illustrious virtue; to renovate the people; and to rest in the highest excellence. However, Dasan argued different way and emphasized three ethics of practice; filial piety(孝), admiration(弟), mercy(慈) and regarded as illustrious virtue of "Great Learning." He denied the three principle of "Great Learning" that Zhuxi reorganized and suggested including renovating the people(新民), and provided that close to the people(親民) is one of the main principles of "Great Learning." According to Dasan, if the king practices these three ethics of practice including filial piety, admiration, and mercy, so that the people will practice these ethics voluntarily. In other words, he indicated that the practice of three ethics is not only for the prince in the loyal family, but also for principles to educate the people in the nation. Thus, three ethics by Dasan including filial piety, admiration, and mercy could be recognized as the symbol of humanity. In other words, Dasan's three ethics in "Great Learning" can be recognized as the practical principles including educational issues and educational interactions. If these three ethics can be referred as the symbol of humanity as mentioned above, the implicit educational interactions are specifically constructed within the basic assumptions. Therefore, it is possible to clarify the specific ethics of practice by the indicating specific subjects and objects in the educational interactions between these three ethics of practice. Also, it helps more clear comprehension about the "Dàxuégōngyì大學公議, The Public debate of Great Learning", by Dasan.