잠재적 감정으로서의 아파테이아—쿳시의 『마이클 K의 삶과 시대』

Stupidity and wisdom stand in a deeply paradoxical relationship. Since the Enlightenment, thought has been “trained” to “detach” itself from stupidity. But it is discovered right at thinking’s origin: it names the wonder or stupefaction that inspires thought. Stupidity names the limit of all knowing and exposes the limit of the subject. It is also the repressed ground for human affectivity. Apatheia, that is assumed by Kant as a emotionless state or absence of affect, can be related with stupidity. The fact that Kant classifies apatheia among affects is meaningful as it implies that apatheia can function as a potential of all emotions not as loss of emotions. Michael K, the protagonist described in Life and Times of Michael K, is a kind of idiot who shows an unique emotion of stupidity and apatheia. In fact, he appears to lack many things in reality but has no desire for anything. Also his idleness in reality can be criticized for its irresponsibility and passivity, he only wants a genuine existential freedom of his being. The only one thing he can do as a person who has been treated like an inferior animal is to be stupid in the turmoil of war. For Michael K, stupidity is the very condition of his being and the means to survive in the cruel historical and social reality. A doctor of the camp who tried to control Michael K with his charity has failed and been overwhelmed by his stupidity. He also experiences a paradoxical emotion like stumplimity in relation with an unrepresentable being of Michael K. The only responsible and ethical response of the other is to try to commune with emotion of the other for a sincere relation even if we can’t know it at all.