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A Study on the Benxing (本性) and Tianming (天命) of Guxiang (骨相篇) in Lunheng (論衡)

  • Journal of Humanities, Seoul National University
  • 2019, 76(2), pp.151-174
  • DOI : 10.17326/jhsnu.76.2.201905.151
  • Publisher : Institute of Humanities, Seoul National University
  • Research Area : Humanities > Other Humanities
  • Received : March 21, 2019
  • Accepted : May 9, 2019
  • Published : May 31, 2019

kim woo jung 1

1원광대학교

Accredited

ABSTRACT

Wangchong (王充) claimed that Tianming (天命), which is responsible for riches and honors or poverty and lowliness (富貴貧賤), was determined by the energy of the sky and the energy of the various stars in Lunheng (論衡). Asserting that these Tianming (天命) are given differently to individuals, Wangchong (王充) argued that Tianming (天命) given from sky cannot be overcome by individual efforts. However, Wangchong (王充) insisted that Benxing (本性), which determines the good and the bad (善 惡) of the individuals, can be changed by individual effort and education. In other words, he argued that education could turn a bad person into a good person. Wangchong (王充) claimed that Tianming (天命) and Benxing (本性) show up on Guxiang (骨相) at the same time. But this argument means that Tianming (天命), granted from sky, and Benxing (本性), which can be changed by the efforts of individuals, should have the same perspective. If the Tianming (天命) cannot be changed, neither should Benxing (本性) be able to be changed.

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