A Study of the Influence of George Muller's Christian Welfare Thought on Japanese Social Welfare

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19H01601
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 08020:Social welfare-related
• Research Institution: Doshisha University
• Principal Investigator: Kihara Katsunobu 同志社大学, 社会学部, 教授 (20275382)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: ジョージ・ミュラー / 山室軍平 / 石井十次 / ブラザレン運動 / ブリストル孤児院

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study is a comprehensive research on the influence of George Muller's welfare philosophy in England on the formation of social programs in Japan.1) To empirically elucidate Muller's personality, which until now has rarely been elucidated academically. In doing so, we will clarify the German pietistic thought that strongly influenced him. 2) To empirically elucidate the British Brethren movement, of which Muller was also a leader.　And 2) To empirically elucidate Muller's influence on Japan, which involved Muller's influence on Gunpei Yamamuro. I also clarified in detail Ishii Juji's understanding of Muller and his process. Through these studies, we have elucidated the overall picture of Muller's influence on welfare and the formation of modern social programs in Japan.

Free Research Field

社会福祉学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

これまで、社会福祉学の研究史上において、未解明で、等閑視されてきたミュラーの実像の史実の発見であるばかりか、新しい社会事業史の解明につながり、研究結果においても学術的独自性が期待できる。またキリスト教社会福祉学においても、これまで、どちらかと言えば社会派の関連が福祉の直接的影響の中心として議論されてきたのに対して、ほとんど表舞台にあらわれることのなかった福音派や敬虔主義という内的信仰や神秘主思想が、逆説的に社会福祉の形成にもっとも強い影響の一端を担った可能性への探究は独創的かつ発展的であり、学術的創造性が期待できる。