기독교 윤리의 한 기초로서의 윤리적 주체성에 대한 연구: 틸리히의 신율(theonomy)과 레비나스의 타율(heteronomy) 비교를 중심으로

Abstract

This research explores the significance of the issue of moral agency as it compares two philosophical concepts of the self, which are Paul Tillich's theonomy and Emmanuel Levinas’ heteronomy. The power of non-being has been trying to make Christians fallen as such that they follow the law of power and desire rather than care for the issues of war, terror, affliction and estrangement. This power overwhelms Christians so that they are in danger of loosing their Christian identity. In order to overcome this situation, this paper delves into the meaning of moral agency, namely ethical subjectivity, based on the comparison between Levinas and Tillich. Levinas asserts that the path to ethical subjecthood is to formulate the ability to respond to the Other. This responsibility is the foundation of heteronomy. Tillich argues that humans, basically, are free-beings but existential limitation hinders them from being free thoroughly. Due to this reality, the way to be a moral agent is to follow the law of agape and grace, that is, the basis of theonomy. This paper seeks to establish a Christian understanding of ethical subjectivity as it compares Levinas and Tillich, not only for figuring out thesignificance of moral agency, but also for offering a sound ground of Christian ethics.