engleski

The Negativity of Vulnerability Revised

In arguing for an adequate approach in developing criteria for assessing specific vulnerabilities, some authors have used an argument that seems to conflict with the overall “negativity of vulnerability” (ten Have, 2015). This claim is that facing one’s own particular vulnerability can make one more resilient and can actually increase quality of life. However, this potential of vulnerability is rarely mentioned in discussions of the nature of vulnerability. This paper intends to further develop the argument that suggests the positive aspects of vulnerability, i.e. we wish to argue that vulnerability can figure as a positive motivational force in terms of improving an individual’s quality of life. The history of philosophy is full of indications of the fact that a vulnerable state (such as illness) represents not only an inherent characteristic of man’s existence, but also the potential for a fuller and richer life experience, the source of an affirmative relationship towards solving life difficulties, and a motivation to create better social contacts. An overview of philosophical conceptualisations of the positive effects of facing illness demonstrates their phenomenological and humanistic characteristics, which differ from the theoretical conceptualisations of post- traumatic growth found in positive/mainstream psychology.

nature of vulnerability ; positive aspects of vulnerability ; philosophy ; psychology

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