The Vulnerability of the Human Being, Society, Nature, and God

ABSTRACT

In this paper, the author reflects on the meaning of vulnerability in the moral sphere. He understands vulnerability in a broader, ontological sense, which means that every human being is vulnerable because everyone is fragile and imperfect. It is this state of vulnerability that opens the individual up to relating with others, connecting, to an attitude of empathy, compassion and solidarity, to finding creative solutions. At the societal level, we have recently experienced vulnerability in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and in facing the war in Ukraine, which, on one hand, reveals our helplessness, but on the other hand, strengthens the search for common solutions and solidarity. Drawing on Hans Jonas, the author discusses the vulnerability of nature, which is being en croached upon by human beings to such an extent that it threatens the quality of the permanent existence of humanity on our planet. The author is convinced that God is also essentially vulnerable because he is sentient and in solidarity with his people;moreover, in Jesus Christ, he becomes one of us and reveals himself to us in all his vulnerability. It is through his wounds that salvation and the possibility of new life come into the world. Faith in Jesus Christ enables us to accept our vulnerability, to be attentive to the vulnerability of other human beings and the whole creation, and to take responsibility and care of life.