Paul Ricoeur - The Socius and the Neighbor
THE SOCIUS AND THE NEIGHBOR
Paul Ricoeur
1) If we define sociology as the science of human relationships within organized groups, then it would seem that there is no sociology of the neighbor. This study flows from the astonishment engendered by such a statement. It is important for reflection to seize upon this surprise and deepen it into a positive meditation situated between a sociology of human relationships and a theology of charity. If there is no sociology of the neighbor, perhaps a sociology which has recognized its limits, in confrontation with a theology of charity, becomes changed in its project, that is to say in its intention and pretension. If there is no sociology of the neighbor, perhaps there is a sociology which starts out from the frontier of the neighbor.
(1) The Level of Astonishment
2) First, let us renew our astonishment by immersing our reflection once more in the freshness of parable and prophecy: "A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who also stripped and wounded him.... And it happened that a priest went down the same way.... In like manner a Levite also passed by.... But a certain Samaritan being on his journey came near him; and seeing him, was moved with compassion.... which of these three men, in thy opinion, was neighbor to him that fell among the thieves?"1
3) A unique narrative and a question at the end. Such is the Biblical nutriment of reflection and meditation.
4) What is at first surprising is that Jesus answers a question with a question, but with a question that has become inverted by means of the corrective virtue of the narrative. The visitor asked: Who is my neighbor?
How is my brother related to me? Jesus returns the question in these terms: Which of these men has acted like a neighbor?
5) The visitor was making a sociological inquiry concerning a certain social object, a possible sociological category susceptible of definition, observation, and explanation.
Paul Ricoeur
1) If we define sociology as the science of human relationships within organized groups, then it would seem that there is no sociology of the neighbor. This study flows from the astonishment engendered by such a statement. It is important for reflection to seize upon this surprise and deepen it into a positive meditation situated between a sociology of human relationships and a theology of charity. If there is no sociology of the neighbor, perhaps a sociology which has recognized its limits, in confrontation with a theology of charity, becomes changed in its project, that is to say in its intention and pretension. If there is no sociology of the neighbor, perhaps there is a sociology which starts out from the frontier of the neighbor.
(1) The Level of Astonishment
2) First, let us renew our astonishment by immersing our reflection once more in the freshness of parable and prophecy: "A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who also stripped and wounded him.... And it happened that a priest went down the same way.... In like manner a Levite also passed by.... But a certain Samaritan being on his journey came near him; and seeing him, was moved with compassion.... which of these three men, in thy opinion, was neighbor to him that fell among the thieves?"1
3) A unique narrative and a question at the end. Such is the Biblical nutriment of reflection and meditation.
4) What is at first surprising is that Jesus answers a question with a question, but with a question that has become inverted by means of the corrective virtue of the narrative. The visitor asked: Who is my neighbor?
How is my brother related to me? Jesus returns the question in these terms: Which of these men has acted like a neighbor?
5) The visitor was making a sociological inquiry concerning a certain social object, a possible sociological category susceptible of definition, observation, and explanation.