공자와 맹자가 바라본 인간 마음을 통한 공감과 돌봄

Abstract

This paper aims to examine the views of Confucius and Mencius on the human mind and, based on studies in contemporary fields such as psychology, education, and ethology, to verify the concepts of empathy and care as understood through their perspectives, while assessing their relevance to modern contexts. To this end, the characteristics of empathy and care behavior were identified by first reviewing contemporary studies. First, empathy begins with external contact. Second, empathy is innate rather than learned. Third, the goal of empathetic behavior is to alleviate or eliminate the suffering of the subject. Fourth, because empathetic behavior aims to reduce suffering, it does not and cannot adhere to prescribed forms or norms. Confucius's view of the human mind encompasses psychological and emotional states but is morally oriented, whereas Mencius's view, building on Confucius's discussions, affirms the autonomy and governing ability of the mind. By examining the characteristics of empathy and empathetic behavior, the paper confirms the process of empathy and empathetic actions through the human mind as seen by Confucius and Mencius, and compares these findings with various contemporary academic studies. Consequently, it was possible to verify the concepts of empathy and care through the human mind as understood by Confucius and Mencius, and to explore the potential for constructing an ethics of empathy and care based on their perspectives.