『論語』 泰伯 편 構成과 主題에 관한 硏究

A study on the structure and the subject of chapter 「Taebaek(泰伯)」 in 『Analects of Confucius』

This paper studied the structure and the subject of 「Taebaek」 chapter in 『Analects of Confucius』. Until now, 『Analects of Confucius』 has been recognized as a record of the conversation among Confucius, his pupils and others. However, there has not been that much concern about the fact that it has a certain subject, or a structure toward its subject for each chapter. The studies which started to consider this are ‘A study on the process of compilation of The Analects’ by Kim Yun-jo, ‘Study of the narrative manner and rhetoric of 『Analects of Confucius』’ by Song Pyungnyul, and so on. The first paragraph group, which is part 1 of chapter 「Taebaek」, puts forward that it was Taebaek’s perfect virtue that he gave up his King’s position for the public work for the whole country. The second paragraph group, which is from part 2 to part 7, puts forward what is very difficult thing. even if building it for whole life, is the perfect virtue. The third paragraph, from part 8 to part 15, indicated the procedure of developing and completing the perfect virtue. The fourth paragraph group plays a role as a turning point in terms of content within chapter 「Taebaek」. The fifth paragraph group is from part 18 to part 21. This paragraph group is the group that makes conclusion, and indicates that the Saints such as ‘King Yo(堯), King Soon(舜,) King Woo(禹), and King Moo(武)’ accomplished the perfect virtue by building the virtuous deeds that concede the whole country, or save it from distress for public work for the country. Following this, the paragraph groups from chapter 「Taebaek」 were found out that they were the components that have each context in prose. Through this, the subject of chapter 「Taebaek」 was apprehended that the difficult thing to accomplish, even if man practices for his whole life, is the perfect virtue, and it is the true perfect virtue that man accomplishes the works that concede, or save the country. The above research result of the episode Taebaek in 『The analects of Confucius』 will help to understand it, and furthermore, will be able to understand 『The analects of Confucius』 in a new perspective.