에디트 슈타인과 감정이입(II): 에디트 슈타인의 감정이입(Einfuhlung)의 치유학 -퀴블러 로스의 죽음 수용단계와 호스피스 완화의료를 중심으로-

Abstract

The main point of this paper is the rationale for why philosopher Edith Stein's Einfühlung (Empathy) can be presented as a valid paradigm in the philosophical practice of today. This argument can also be an indirect discussion on how sympathy and empathy are differentiated. The discussion progresses in association with the Acceptance Stage of Dying presented by Elisabeth Kübler－Ross. Then how Stein's healing therapy of empathy is differentiated from that of sympathy? Stein argues that empathy is required for us to experience ourselves in empathy as 'related' with the world filled with others and objects, not isolated, i.e., self-centered, in the world. If experiencing others is the first aim of empathizing, it can then progress to thorough and objective understanding of ourselves based on it. The philosophical practice mentioned as a major philosophical healing has been conducted as to how to understand the counselee, or how philosophy can understand and heal or cure counselees through sympathetic conversation or sympathetic emotions. It was because philosophical practice has been interested mostly in the counselees and their problems. What about the counselors during the procedure? In other words, what attitude of philosophical practice is required from the counselors? The required attitude is that the counselors perceive themselves objectively by themselves. This is the fundamental difference between philosophical practice and psychotherapy, and the reason why philosophical theories must be the foundation for philosophical practice. As far as it is based on philosophical theories, philosophical practice can be effective in exploring potentials to heal both counselees and counselors in the process of counseling or curing through the paths of perceiving philosophical truth. If this is true, what is important in philosophical healing is not how to emotionally accept the counselee in exploring the ways of healing. Rather, it is how the counselor and counselee can perceive themselves objectively and thoroughly in the process of philosophical counseling and curing, and, in this reciprocal subjectivity, how the counselor or caregiver can look at themselves objectively and thoroughly. Therefore, Stein's philosophical healing through empathy can be presented as a significant paradigm for today.