Literally a active,positive good person
Part of the four-part framework (적극선인, 소극선인, 적극악인, 소극악인) that categorizes people’s moral attitudes.
Breakdown of 적극선인
적극 (積極) = active, positive, proactive.
선인 (善人) = good person, virtuous person.
Put together: 적극선인 means “an active good person” — someone who not only avoids doing harm but also actively does good, helps others, and takes initiative in virtuous actions.
It’s often contrasted with 소극선인 (passive good person), who is good but doesn’t take active steps to help.
Example Sentences
그는 어려운 사람들을 돕는 적극선인이다. → He is an active good person who helps those in need.
사회에는 소극선인보다 적극선인이 더 필요하다. → Society needs active good people more than passive ones.
적극선인은 세상을 변화시키는 힘을 가진다. → Active good people have the power to change the world.
그녀는 봉사활동에 앞장서는 적극선인으로 알려져 있다. → She is known as an active good person who leads volunteer work.
Nuance
적극선인 emphasizes initiative — not just being “good” but doing good.
It’s often used in moral philosophy, religion, or social ethics discussions.
In everyday speech, people might not say “적극선인” often, but they’ll describe someone as 적극적으로 착한 일을 하는 사람 (a person who actively does good deeds).