대한제국 시기 학회지에 나타난 흥학 개념의 변화와 과학 담론의 영향

Abstract

This study aims to track the essential orientation and conceptual change of ‘Heunghak’ through related articles contained in the journal of the Deahan Empire period and examine in detail the modern discourse system reflected in the changed concept of ‘Heunghak’.
 When looking at the journals of the Deahan Empire period, Heunghak was emphasized as the basis for the Deahan Empire’s revival of ‘production’ and entry into the ‘rich country’. This originated from the equation ‘Heunghak’ = ‘Modern education of Western powers’. Therefore, at this point, it can be seen that the term ‘heunghak’ was focused on promoting modern education. On the other hand, such academic promotion and modern education are focused on ‘practical use’ in the premise of ‘rich country’ and ‘self-reliance’ as specific practical virtues. In this situation, ‘science’ is linked to practical use, but in this process, a logical leap is found in which the concept of essential ‘science’ is omitted and only practical use is emphasized.
 The problem is that the educational system of the Deahan Empire at that time could not sufficiently support the activities of Heunghak. In a situation where phased and universal development through modern education is impossible, the concept of Heunghak gradually decreased to practical use. If so, can the modern state that Heunghak dreamed of at this time be achieved only by practical use? Unlike the ideal that Heunghak hoped for, Heunghak, which has been decreased to practical use, cannot reach the enlightenment of the people and prosperity through technological development. In the end, the appearance of the modern state, which intellectuals urgently dreamed of during the Deahan Empire, remains only an ideal that cannot be reached with limited heunghak.