This article begins with the intent of trying to understand the
meaning and principle of character education in the perspective of
Toegye’s neo-Confucianism. It attempts to read the understanding
of character education expressed in Toegye’s seminal work, the
Seonghaksipdo (“Ten Diagrams on Sage Learning”). It is not too
much to say that the Seonghakshipdo is a work on the topic of
character education insomuch as it systematically demonstrates
the meaning of character, the way of education for its actualization,
and everyday learning. Character in Toegye’s neo-Confucianism
refers to human original nature itself, understood in terms of
benevolence, righteousness, propriety, and wisdom rooted in the
‘sacred’ source of existence. Arguments of the substance-function
and heartmind-nature rationales surrounding this position are
included in the first(Taegeukdo), second(Seomyeongdo),
sixth(Simtongseongjeongdo), and seventh(Inseoldo) diagrams.
Next, the curriculum of the Elementary Learning and Great
Learning envisioned as the way of education for actualizing
character is discussed in the third(Sohakdo), fourth(Daehakdo), and
fifth(Baeknokdonggyudo) diagrams. Finally, the eighth(Simhakdo),
ninth(Gyeongjaejamdo), and tenth(Sukheungyamaejamdo) diagrams
illustrate the ideal of manifesting character in all aspects of
everyday life, taking the embodied study of gyeong(mindfulness)
as the method of practice. Based on the Seonghaksipdo, from the
perspective of Toegye neo-Confucianism, character education as education for the manifestation of human original nature is not just
an aspect of education but education itself. The common
contemporary perspective that limits character education to ‘moral
education,’ as that which contrasts with ‘knowledge education,’ is
narrow-minded. Furthermore, it is suggested that character
development is not just a matter of formal curriculum, but the most
fundamental task of education to be achieved in all times and
places of everyday life.