유럽통합과 장 모네의 정치사상 - 영국 경험론을 중심으로 -

Abstract

This article tries to reveal the meaning of Jean Monnet’s practical philosophy in terms of the English empirical tradition, especially, David Hume’s thought. Monnet is well known for the founder of European Union. F. Duchêne, the leading commentator of Monnet, explains his political thought in terms of the good mixture of idealism and pragmatism. But his explanation is missing in some respects. First of all, it does not fully reveal the meaning of the necessities on which Monnet puts the most emphasis. Second, it cannot give a due account of the circumstances closely related to the sense of necessity. Monnet’s political decision depends on the sense of necessity arising from the circumstances. For this reason his main efforts is directed to modifying the circumstances which cause problems. It is called “context-transforming leadership,” which calls for imagination, not reason based on the modern notion of sovereignty. Moreover, his idea of “institution” is inspired by the empirical approach to things. All these aspects of his thought are very similar to the important tenets of David Hume’s practical philosophy.