우정의 역설에 빠진 고독한 현자 구하기 - 『논어』가 제시하는 친구 사귐 원칙의 재해석 -

Abstract

“Do not befriend those,” Confucius postulates in the Analects, “who are not equal to yourself.” By definition, however, this maxim cannot be universal since it is impossible for everyone to befriend only their equals or betters. Beyond inconveniencing those of lower status, it would leave the nonpareil the worthy 賢 friendless. This is referred to as the “Paradox of Friendship”: To the worthiest, none would be worthy of friendship. A solution to the Friendship Paradox would be dependent on, first, an examination of what makes someone “worthy” and if the paradox applies to them and, second, a reevaluation of what friendship means in the Analects. Via this method, which would help identify the acceptable circumstances—in the Confucian world view—in which one may befriend their “lesser,” the supposed “Paradox of Friendship” would be revealed as verisimilar. Rather than imposing a narrow view of companionship, the philiac principle laid out in the Analects remains relevant beyond the Spring and Autumn period.