@article{ART003109195},
author={Sunwoo, Hyun},
title={Misunderstanding and Misreading of the Implications of Niebuhr’s ‘Moral Man and Immoral Society’ : Reflections on Public Education’s Interpretation of ‘Moral Man and Immoral Society’},
journal={Journal of Studies on Schools and Teaching},
issn={2508-156X},
year={2024},
volume={9},
number={2},
pages={199-218},
doi={10.23041/jsst.2024.9.2.009}
TY - JOUR
AU - Sunwoo, Hyun
TI - Misunderstanding and Misreading of the Implications of Niebuhr’s ‘Moral Man and Immoral Society’ : Reflections on Public Education’s Interpretation of ‘Moral Man and Immoral Society’
JO - Journal of Studies on Schools and Teaching
PY - 2024
VL - 9
IS - 2
PB - Education Research Institute at CNUE
SP - 199
EP - 218
SN - 2508-156X
AB - The diverse interpretations and approaches to understanding Niebuhr’s thesis of ‘Moral Man and Immoral Society,’ which encapsulates the essence of his ethical ideology, have led to considerable misunderstandings and distortions. This issue is particularly concerning, as incorrect explanations and content regarding his ethics are found in middle and high school textbooks. In light of this problem, this article critically examines the fundamental implications and true theoretical essence embedded in Niebuhr’s thesis, aiming to fully elucidate its reality. The ‘provisional’ conclusion reached is as follows. First, Niebuhr’s perspective on humanity and the rationale inherent in the framework of ‘Moral Man and Immoral Society,’ and the subsequent categorical differentiation between ‘Individual Ethics versus Social Ethics,’ exhibit anti-rational and anti-enlightenment characteristics. They are grounded in a cold ‘realism’ that contrasts with ‘idealism’ Second, the juxtaposition between ‘Moral Man (Individual) and Immoral Society (Human Group)’ represents a ‘weak relative’ distinction. Niebuhr figured that renaming it as ‘Immoral Man and Even More Immoral Society’ might be more appropriate. Third, Niebuhr’s critique of individual ethics extends beyond addressing the failure to explain and resolve new unethical phenomena at the societal level. It also challenges the overly optimistic notion of idealism that asserts ‘individuals are completed as moral personalities through reinforcement of morality.’
KW - Moral Man and Immoral Society;Immoral Man and Even More Immoral Society;interpretive misunderstanding;realism;weak relative distinction;excessive necessary optimism
DO - 10.23041/jsst.2024.9.2.009
ER -
Sunwoo, Hyun. (2024). Misunderstanding and Misreading of the Implications of Niebuhr’s ‘Moral Man and Immoral Society’ : Reflections on Public Education’s Interpretation of ‘Moral Man and Immoral Society’. Journal of Studies on Schools and Teaching, 9(2), 199-218.
Sunwoo, Hyun. 2024, "Misunderstanding and Misreading of the Implications of Niebuhr’s ‘Moral Man and Immoral Society’ : Reflections on Public Education’s Interpretation of ‘Moral Man and Immoral Society’", Journal of Studies on Schools and Teaching, vol.9, no.2 pp.199-218. Available from: doi:10.23041/jsst.2024.9.2.009
Sunwoo, Hyun "Misunderstanding and Misreading of the Implications of Niebuhr’s ‘Moral Man and Immoral Society’ : Reflections on Public Education’s Interpretation of ‘Moral Man and Immoral Society’" Journal of Studies on Schools and Teaching 9.2 pp.199-218 (2024) : 199.
Sunwoo, Hyun. Misunderstanding and Misreading of the Implications of Niebuhr’s ‘Moral Man and Immoral Society’ : Reflections on Public Education’s Interpretation of ‘Moral Man and Immoral Society’. 2024; 9(2), 199-218. Available from: doi:10.23041/jsst.2024.9.2.009
Sunwoo, Hyun. "Misunderstanding and Misreading of the Implications of Niebuhr’s ‘Moral Man and Immoral Society’ : Reflections on Public Education’s Interpretation of ‘Moral Man and Immoral Society’" Journal of Studies on Schools and Teaching 9, no.2 (2024) : 199-218.doi: 10.23041/jsst.2024.9.2.009
Sunwoo, Hyun. Misunderstanding and Misreading of the Implications of Niebuhr’s ‘Moral Man and Immoral Society’ : Reflections on Public Education’s Interpretation of ‘Moral Man and Immoral Society’. Journal of Studies on Schools and Teaching, 9(2), 199-218. doi: 10.23041/jsst.2024.9.2.009
Sunwoo, Hyun. Misunderstanding and Misreading of the Implications of Niebuhr’s ‘Moral Man and Immoral Society’ : Reflections on Public Education’s Interpretation of ‘Moral Man and Immoral Society’. Journal of Studies on Schools and Teaching. 2024; 9(2) 199-218. doi: 10.23041/jsst.2024.9.2.009
Sunwoo, Hyun. Misunderstanding and Misreading of the Implications of Niebuhr’s ‘Moral Man and Immoral Society’ : Reflections on Public Education’s Interpretation of ‘Moral Man and Immoral Society’. 2024; 9(2), 199-218. Available from: doi:10.23041/jsst.2024.9.2.009
Sunwoo, Hyun. "Misunderstanding and Misreading of the Implications of Niebuhr’s ‘Moral Man and Immoral Society’ : Reflections on Public Education’s Interpretation of ‘Moral Man and Immoral Society’" Journal of Studies on Schools and Teaching 9, no.2 (2024) : 199-218.doi: 10.23041/jsst.2024.9.2.009
