The cultural dimension in a contextual hermeneutics of suffering
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Authors
Son, Chul-Min
Issue Date
2009-08-25T10:47:19Z
Type
Thesis
Language
en
Keywords
Practical theological study , Contextual hermeneutics , Social representations , Cultural identity , Korean studies , Grounded theory , Theodicy , Ricoeur's narrative tbeory , Hermeneutical model of suffering
Alternative Title
Abstract
Most current studies of suffering are based upon an existential approach which
focuses on suffering itself. Theodicy has mainly been concerned with people's
attitudes and communication within themselves and with others about religious
symbols and ideas. Particularly, this study examines the Korean attitude to suffering
using its cultural dimension in a contextual hermeneutics. The researcher was
interested in two notions: personal identity in its cultural dimension and the
hermeneutics of suffering.
The research questions addressed were as follows.
a) How to define Korean personhood?
b) What is cultural identity?
c) How do people create personal identity?
d) How does a person cope with suffering?
The chief findings were as follows.
a) A study of Korean self-understanding can be accomplished by exploring their
lifeworld to describe and understand this people's language for daily communication,
popular cuJtural myths, and spirituality.
b) Cultural identity in this thesis means indigenous Korean self-understanding using
the socio-cultural framework in its own terms and ideas. This self-knowledge
mediates history, culture, and language.
c) Personal identity is constructed by a narrative identity.
d) Suffering can be coped with by communication with and through oneself, others,
and God.
Description
Citation
Son, Chul-Min (2009) The cultural dimension in a contextual hermeneutics of suffering, University of South Africa, Pretoria, <http://hdl.handle.net/10500/854>