‘윤리적 인간’의 경계, 존재의 숨구멍: 본회퍼와 류영모의 사상을 중심으로

Abstract

This article raises an academic question about the possibility of building responsible communities, which are composed of autonomous and communicating subjects. Through comparative reading of Bonhoeffer’s concept of “collective persons” and Ryu yông-mo’s “ôlna(spiritual self),” this study aims at suggesting an ontological foundation of a porous self, which leads humans to overcome nationalistic collectivism and individualistic subjectivism as well. Both Bonhoeffer and Ryu proclaim that humans possess ontological capability of communicating with God (“Allperson” in Bonhoeffer’s and “Ôlna” in Ryu’s use of the term) and also with neighbors. The social/communitarian dimension of human beings, according to them, enables humans not to extend selfish power over their neighbors(“ the mechanism of empires” in Ryu’s use of the term) and furthermore to nurture their will to become “persons for others.” The formation of communitarian- responsible self is possible only when the self encounters Christ, the transcending and holistic power of ground of all beings but at the same time entering the center of each individuals and communities, insist both Bonhoeffer and Ryu. Just as breathing requires inhaling and exhaling as well, the self needs continuous practice of receiving Christ into the center of the self and of dispensing God-given wisdom, spirit, and personality in the process of constructing concrete and historical communities which participate in the universality of God. This study pinpoints in conclusion that Bonhoeffer’s concept of “collective persons” and Ryu yông-mo’s “ôlna” provides the possibility of constructing volitional community composed of ‘porous’ selves, alternative to calculative gatherings of selfish selves in our contemporary Neo-liberal society.