劉向 『說苑』에 나타난 無爲의 양상과 왕도 정치의 이상 ― 儒家의 ‘無爲而治’ 수용을 중심으로 = A Study on the Aspects of Wu-wei and the Ideals of Royal Politics in Liu Xiang’s Shuoyuan: Focusing on Confucianism’s Acceptance of ‘Non-Doing Government’

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

Liu Xiang’s Shuoyuan cited original texts with a diverse array of ideologies, including Confucianism, Taoism, and Legalism. Furthermore, the assertions of each school often intertwine, leading to scholars have held differing opinions regarding the ideological nature of Shuoyuan. Initially categorized within the Confucian tradition in Hanshu, prevailing opinion has long considered Shuoyuan as part of the Confucian lineage. However, recent discourse has increasingly favored classifying it within eclectic or miscellaneous history, with some even suggesting a categorization as a work of fiction. Therefore, a closer examination of the content of Shuoyuan is necessary to clarify its ideological nature.
The motivation behind Liu Xiang’s compilation of Shuoyuan can be gleaned from relevant historical texts and Xulu. Following Emperor Yuandi’s ascension to the throne during the Han Dynasty, the ascent of eunuchs and maternal relatives to positions of power resulted in their unchecked influence over political affairs. In response, Liu Xiang included political teachings within Shuoyuan, intending for the emperor’s guidance. His overarching aim in compiling Shuoyuan was to curb the dominance of maternal relatives and eunuchs while advocating for the establishment of a more structured political framework. Due to Liu Xiang’s distinct and firm sense of purpose, Shuoyuan reflects a variety of ideologies. He particularly embraced and expanded upon Confucius’ concept of Wu-wei. Through this study, we gain insight into how Liu Xiang assimilated Confucian principles and applied them to real-world contexts.