인간 이해와 수치심 –아리스토텔레스와 김상정을 중심으로

Abstract

This paper analyzes the meaning of shame in relation to human understanding and self-awareness from a traditional philosophical point of view. Aristotle's understanding of shame was dominant in Western traditional philosophy. In his understanding, shame is a painful bad emotion, and comes from bad behaviors associated with vice, and bad social reputation. The point is that shame is a negative social emotion. His understanding causes shame not to be a central theme in Western traditional moral philosophy and ethics. In Eastern philosophy, shame has been emphasized as one of the elements of humanity by Confucius and Mencius. But after that, the discussion of shame did not follow. The exception is Kim Sang-jung, a Confucian scholar of the Joseon Dynasty. There are several important things in his understanding of shame. First, he distinguishes various levels and meanings of shame. Second, he presents the practical stages of shame and deals with shame in terms of personality and discipline. This suggests that shame has a holistic character related to Pathos, Logos, and Ethos. Third, he overcomes the a priori claim that shame is a human nature by explaining why shamless is worst. Fourth, he understands shame positively unlike Aristotle. He claims that noble man is one who constantly tries to be ashamed of nothing, for shame has a function of self-purification. Fifth, he opens up the possibility of improvement from shamless to shame based on autonomy. Kim's understanding of shame has much meaning for moral and humanity education based on Korean traditional culture.