孟子의 良心論 — 양심과 관련된 세 가지 문제[원천ㆍ형성ㆍ저항권]를 중심으로 —

The purpose of this paper is to study the theory of conscience and the meaning in Mencius(孟子). The conscience is a concept connected with a sense of sin and moral consciousness. It is a foundation of human character and morality. Whenever we discuss human nature, conscience is the important concept. In East philosophical history, Mencius was the first man who spoke the conscience in connection with the view of human nature as fundamentally good. Mencius recognised innately conscience in the base of meaning of confucian traditional Tian(天). There are three problems of conscience, the origin, the formation, and the right of resistance concerning the conscience. The origin of conscience in Mencius is Tian. We have a priori conscience given by the Tianming(天命). It is a standard when we judge right from wrong facing the moral situation. The formation of conscience is not the result of our efforts but the intrinsic, the transcendental, and the transcendental nature. The gap of the great man(大人) and the worthless fellow(小人) depends upon inner moral efforts. The right of resistance is connected directly with the liberty of conscience holding fast to right notwithstanding the death. The theory of revolution is radical in political thoughts of Mencius. It is a basis of his ruling people with justice and morality. In conclusion, the theory of conscience in Mencius has meaning by showing a standard of right on the feel of ashamedness(羞惡之心) in the present day.