근래에 와서 서구사상, 민주주의의 상징처럼 인식되어 온 '자유'에 대한 연구가 지속적으로 이루어졌다. 이어서 자유와 함께 '책임' 문제까지도 아울러 논하자는 담론들이 줄을 잇고 있다. 개인의 자유와 사회적 책임이라는 문제가 부딪칠 때 어떻게 접점을 찾아야 할 것인가 하는 문제는 현대를 사는 우리 모두의 과제라 하겠다. 이 글은 '자유'와 '책임'이라는 서구적 관념을 유가사상에서 찾을 수 있느냐 하는 데 목적을 두고 작성되었다. 서양에서처럼 오랜 세월에 걸쳐 체계 있고 분명하게 정리된 개념이 아닌 만큼, 연구에 어려움이 많다. 제한된 자료 속에서 유가사상에서의 '자유'와 '책임'의 의미, 성격을 각각 살펴본 뒤, 이어 서구적 의미의 '자유' '책임'과 연결시킬 만한 사상적 요소들을 찾고자 했다. 자유와 책임 사이의 연결 고리를 찾는 작업은 이후를 기대한다.

Recently, the research about ‘Freedom’ which is considered the symbol of western ideology and democracy is constantly conducted. Subsequently, ‘Freedom’ along with ‘Responsibility’ need to be discussed as well. Finding the interface between personal freedom and social responsibility is today’s big issue. This paper argues whether ‘Freedom’ and ‘Responsibility’ which are based on western ideology are found in Confucian Philosophy or not. It is hard to examine ‘Freedom’ and ‘Responsibility’ in Confucian Philosophy, because they are not clearly organized and defined. Within limited research material, this paper speculates the meaning and character of freedom and responsibility, then finds the ideological factor to relate those concepts which are based on western ideology. The further research about the connection between ‘Freedom’ and ‘Responsibility’ is needed later.

Recently, the research about ‘Freedom’ which is considered the symbol of western ideology and democracy is constantly conducted. Subsequently, ‘Freedom’ along with ‘Responsibility’ need to be discussed as well. Finding the interface between personal freedom and social responsibility is today’s big issue. This paper argues whether ‘Freedom’ and ‘Responsibility’ which are based on western ideology are found in Confucian Philosophy or not. It is hard to examine ‘Freedom’ and ‘Responsibility’ in Confucian Philosophy, because they are not clearly organized and defined. Within limited research material, this paper speculates the meaning and character of freedom and responsibility, then finds the ideological factor to relate those concepts which are based on western ideology. The further research about the connection between ‘Freedom’ and ‘Responsibility’ is needed later.

Confucian Philosophy, Freedom, Responsibility, Stress on reality, Wo-whan consciousness(憂患意識).