權에 관한 一考察－先秦 哲學을 중심으로－

The term gwon means ‘scale’, which is interpreted in several ways. This article focuses on three different interpretations of gwon. Firstly, gwon is interpreted as law. The difference between law and gwon lies in flexibility. Gwon is applied to a case, in which the exact law does not exist. Especially, an inevitable behavior that is unacceptable in normal condition can be justified by gwon as an exception. Gwon is understood as a kind of supplement to law. Secondly, gwon is interpreted as the state of exception, that is, a suspension of the juridical order. More often, gwon refers to the behavior of abusing authority, usurping power and ruling over the juridical order. Thirdly, gwon is literally used both as noun and verb. The third interpretation implies a value free consideration in East Asian political philosophy. The value free expressions of political order offer a new angle on democratic ideas in East Asian philosophy.