Abstract
This study aims to analyze the concept of "compassion." The necessity and importance of compassion is often discussed among social workers in terms of nothing more than a slogan, and it has not been discussed academically. This article describes an attempt to conceptualize compassion as a context of social welfare and tries to determine the origin of compassion as a context of Christianity. Firstly a definition of the word "compassion" is given and it is criticized and conceptualized with reference to both Jean Jacques Rousseau and Friedrich Nietzsche. Secondly its origin is traced : σπλαγχνον in Greek which is articulated in the New Testament. And it is considered as a context of Christianity, especially on the basis of the Henry Nouwen's theology of weakness. Thirdly we discuss the idea of Hannah Arendt, and assert that it is present not only in the private domain but also in the public domain. And finally we assert the significance of compassion in social work and social welfare for the public.
