아렌트의 ‘이야기하기’와 철학상담

초록

This paper applies Hannah Arendt’s understanding of storytelling to the field of philosophical counseling to explore the possibility of healing through sharing the life story. According to Arendt, storytelling is a form of ‘action’ only realized within relations with other people. The term ‘action’ indicates the political form of the ‘Vita Activa’ that embodies the condition of ‘plurality’, which expresses both individual difference and shared humanity, serving as the condition of political life. One discloses their uniqueness through speech, which is most revealed within the story of their life. But, a life story appears only when observed from distance. To disclose new meanings in life, new perspectives are required; In other words, a companion of interpretation is needed to help view one’s life from an another viewpoint. Thus, there is a need for a space where life narratives are shared with others and their meanings interpreted. Although action bears a significance in political life, many are solely immersed in labor and work, driven by productivity and usefulness. Group philosophical counseling provides a space where multiple participants can broaden interpretive possibilities through stories of each other. Moreover, participants can train ‘enlarged mentality’ by representing others’ viewpoints. Through reinterpretation of stories from diverse perspectives, one may go toward forgiveness, which is the ultimate political act that could reestablish relationship with others. Arendt’s understanding of storytelling deepens the theoretical grounding of philosophical counseling while offering a crucial framework for its ethical and political implications.

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