Narracyjne i etyczne rozumienie tożsamości osoby w badaniach biograficznych. Perspektywa Paula Ricoeura
Narrative and ethical understanding of personal identity in biographical research. Paul Ricoeur’s perspective

Author(s): Anna Walulik, Celina Kisiel-Dorohinicka
Subject(s): Social Philosophy, Culture and social structure , Higher Education , Sociology of Education
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Łódzkiego
Keywords: story about one’s own life; personal identity; narrative identity; ethical identity; analysis of narration
Summary/Abstract: The article addresses the problem of the temporal dimension of human existence and its importance for biographical research. The point of departure is the understanding of human fate in terms of constancy and change, as well as identity and difference (of another human being), outlined by the anthropological thought of Paul Ricoeur. In the light of the above philosophy, an exemplary narration is analyzed and interpreted – it is autobiography of Josef Ströder, a German doctor who was accused during World War II of having friendship with Poles. Ricoeur’s recognition of the personal identity as a narrative identity (and closely related ethical identity), as well as analysis of the selected narration, let us conclude that the narration of one’s own life is not a neutral description. This conclusion has clear pedagogical implications – it suggests the need to create a human (especially adult) conditions and opportunities for a reflective story about one’s own life.

• Details
• Contents