서양의 고전적 윤리 실천 사상 : 키케로의 『의무론』을 중심으로

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to reconsider the ethical practice thought from the Graeco-Roman period to the present in the West through Ciceros De Officcis. De Officcis (written in 44B.C.) consists of three parts: Book 1 honestum (moral goodness, honesty, or Ehrenhaftigkeit), Book 2 utilitas (utility, expediency, or Nuetzlichkeit), Book 3 the confict between honestum and utilitas. According to Cicero who is fully armed by the Stoic Ethical Thought, honestum comes from the four cardinal virtues, that is scientia (knowledge, wisdom), iustitia (justice), fortitudo (courage), temperantia (temperence). Cicero considers honestum as the highest virtue and runs in the opposite direction that Epicurus pupils look voluptas (pleasure) as the highest virtue. In this paper I tried to show all the episodes in history, philosophy, religion and myths of the Orient, Greece and Rome in the following four chapters; What is honestum?; What are duties to the state and society?; How to speak and act?;How to administer property? As a conclusion, it seems to me that the Western Ethical Practice Thought is not differed from that of the East, especially ours. Therefore, it is important for us to teach the true western ethics for all our youth.