Suffering, such as disease, aging and death, has rarely been
discussed in the field of pedagogy and human development. Therefore, it
is necessary to develop a philosophical and educational theory based on
a comprehensive understanding of human beings and their suffering.
In order to explore the concept of suffering, this paper examines the
philosophy of Mieko Kamiya (1914―1979). It clarifies the theoretical
foundations of Kamiya’s philosophy and redefines it as the philosophy of
homo patiens.
First, this study discusses Kamiya’s philosophy and her translation
of Marcus Aurelius’s Ta eis heauton (Meditations), illuminating “a
conversion in the meaning of suffering” which influenced her work
and life. Second, it investigates how “the conversion from negative to
positive” interacts with her understanding of time and an experience
of suffering. Third, this study clarifies that such a conversion can be
interpreted as the principle of “self-transformation” of homo patiens
in Kamiya’s philosophy. This principle is found to apply to the three
phases of decentralization: the self, the co-existence, and the eternal or
transcendental being.
This study argues that at the core of Kamiya’s philosophy is a
deep insight into homo patiens. The principle of “the decentered selftransformation”
of homo patiens can contribute to an understanding
of others’ suffering. This study helps to develop a theory of human
development based on insights into suffering.
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