호손의 과학자들과 기독교적 윤리

Abstract

One of Hawthorne’s main concerns is the issue on man’s sin—secret sin, unpardonable sin, problem of conscience, recognition of sin, or its influences on individuals and community. In his major works, he criticizes the rigors or bigoted morals of his Puritan ancestors, condemns man’s haughty pursuit for the absolute rivalling that of God, or doubts the possibility of realizing earthly paradise only through man’s good will. His scientists are not exceptional: they reveal the dangers of the scientists’ arrogance and biased pursuit for scientific achievements, and warn the tragic outcome from their attempts to be earthly gods. He views that any artificial endeavors to better human society by improving unreasonable institutions or customs are useless, and that it is dangerous to interpret God’s will in his own arbitrary way and try to use it for the private interests or desire. His beliefs are similar to those of Calvinists who believe in the Predestination stating that one’s salvation is decided from the beginning and in the Original Sin from which no one can be free. This paper treats two types of scientists: the one is those who accept human limits in their pursuit of scientific truths and are cautious not to lose their humanity, and the other is those who boldly challenge God's power and wisdom and destroy others as well as themselves. Examples of the former would be Heidegger and Owen, and those of the latter would be Aylmer, Rappaccini, Baglioni, Giovanni, Chillingworth and Westervelt. This paper analyzes these characters in the context of the adequacy of their scientific pursuits and results.