Freedom and responsibility of the person.

The influence of Goethe’s “Faust” on Edith Stein

Abstract

Freedom and responsibility are two concepts that must be perceived in all their delicacies and densities. The human being takes for himself the understanding of freedom and, sometimes, it is the understanding that suits him, that is, he thinks of himself Only in his individualization and ends up leaving aside the collectivity in which he is immersed. In this dimension, Edith Stein deals with both issues – freedom and responsibility – from a perspective that makes it possible to analyze the ontic structure of the human being, as well as the insertion of the specificity of grace that dialogues directly with the freedom of the individual, also perceived, as a free gift from God. Thus, the freedom of the human being directly and indirectly infers not only the “i”, but also the “other” and, consequently, such inferences are is responsibility. Within this perspective, Stein allows himself to be influenced by the german classic “Faust” by Goethe, since the work brings a narrative that dialogues entirely with the relationship that exists between freedom and responsibility, both in the individual perspective and in that of others. Thus, through this work by Goethe it is possible to perceive these two concepts within the theoretical, philosophical and theological foundation, about the ontic structure of the person in Stein’s perception.