칸트의 정언명법과 동양의 修養論 = The categorical Imperative and the East Asian Doctrine of Self Cultivation

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

The main purpose of this paper is to present a critical analysis of Kant’s theory of Categorical Imperative("the Theory" hereinafter), and show that the weaknesses of the Theory might be lessened when it is interpreted in light of the East Asian doctrine of self cultivation (Xiuyanglun, 修養論).The conclusion that the author reaches from this research is the following:The Theory involves several weaknesses: (1) the dichotomous understanding of human mind on which the Theory relies has difficulties in helping attain the state of integrity and might further cause the state of self－dividedness or disintegration in the mind; (2) Kant understates the fact that human actions produce a new habit by repetition and that the latter builds by recurrence a new inclination, which implies that the inclination may not be free from moral responsibility; (3) not only is the Theory based on the unwarranted assumption that human actions are always controlled and determined by practical reason alone; but (4) it does not take a full account of the fallibility of practical reasoning. These weaknesses can be reduced by introducing the East Asian doctrine of self cultivation. Socratic ethics has a well－founded doctrine of self cultivation. The doctrine of self cultivation can be introduced in consistency with theory of knowledge, and accordingly with Western ethics in general. Besides, the idea of self cultivation is already incorporated in Kant’s moral philosophy.