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Kierkegaard's Christian Existentialism

Michael Sugrue・37 minutes read

Kierkegaard's philosophy critiques Hegel's rationalism, emphasizing the choice between faith and reason with no compromise, illustrated through aesthetic and ethical life. His exploration of subjective decisions, exemplified with Abraham's sacrifice, highlights the existential dilemma of faith versus reason in a world devoid of rational grounding.

Insights

  • Kierkegaard's philosophy is a reaction to Hegel's rationalistic approach, emphasizing the impossibility of fully systematizing human existence due to the clash between Greek rationality and biblical faith, leading to a stark choice between faith and reason.
  • Kierkegaard's exploration of the aesthetic and ethical lives, as depicted in "Either/Or," presents a stark decision without middle ground, reflecting his belief in the importance of subjective leaps of faith over rational guidance, creating a harrowing existential dilemma.

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  • What is Kierkegaard's philosophy a reaction to?

    Hegel's synthesis

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Summary

00:00

Kierkegaard's Existential Choice: Faith or Reason

  • Kierkegaard's philosophy is a reaction to Hegel's synthesis, which he despised for its smug certainty, megalomaniacal comprehensiveness, and rationalism.
  • Kierkegaard believed in the impossibility of fully systematizing human existence due to the clash between Greek rationality and biblical faith.
  • He emphasized the need to choose between faith and reason, rejecting facile compromises between the two.
  • Kierkegaard proposed a fundamental choice between the aesthetic life, focused on pleasure, and the ethical life, centered on moral righteousness.
  • He argued that individuals must make a definitive decision between the aesthetic and ethical lives, with no room for compromise.
  • Kierkegaard's work "Either/Or" presents this choice starkly, without any middle ground, forcing individuals to confront the consequences of their decision.
  • He is considered a precursor to existentialism for his belief that there is no rational criterion for making this decision, leaving individuals adrift in a criterionless choice.
  • Kierkegaard's emphasis on the importance of this decision and the lack of rational guidance in making it creates a harrowing and terrifying existential dilemma.
  • His book "Either/Or" is praised for its literary qualities but also reflects the tortured nature of its author, who grapples with the significance of suffering for one's beliefs.
  • Kierkegaard's exploration of irony and his belief in earning intellectual stripes through suffering and feeling contribute to his status as a figure of theological romanticism in the 19th century.

16:35

"Kierkegaard's Aesthetic Pursuit and Moral Reflections"

  • Berlioz's music lacks proportion but contains lovely sentiments.
  • Kierkegaard's work lacks proportion and contains frightening sentiments.
  • Kierkegaard presents arresting images in volume one of "The Ether."
  • He writes from the perspective of the aesthetic man, highlighting the pursuit of pleasure to avoid boredom.
  • Kierkegaard believes boredom is the root of all evil.
  • He describes the history of boredom in a piece called "The Rotation Method."
  • Kierkegaard discusses the aesthetic man's choice between suicide and continued pursuit of novelty.
  • Kierkegaard's work is compared to Nietzsche's in terms of morbid introspection.
  • The moral man follows conscience and morality out of passion for virtue.
  • Kant and Kierkegaard's differing views on faith and reason are exemplified through their interpretations of the biblical story of Abraham.

30:35

Kierkegaard's Faith-Based Philosophy on Moral Choices

  • Kant's concept of God resembles a perfected version of himself, devoid of vices, always following the categorical imperative.
  • Kierkegaard's romantic approach, as seen in "Fear and Trembling," praises Abraham's blind faith in God's commands, devoid of rationality.
  • Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son, as lauded by Kierkegaard, showcases complete submission to God's will, transcending ethical considerations.
  • Kierkegaard emphasizes the rejection of rationality and humanism, advocating for a leap of faith and complete obedience to God's commands.
  • The agonizing choice Abraham faces, to kill his son, exemplifies the grim and macabre world Kierkegaard portrays, where faith trumps reason.
  • Kierkegaard's emphasis on subjectivity and the loss of certainty in making moral choices aligns with modern existentialist ideas.
  • Kierkegaard's work, while religiously focused, prompts deep contemplation on subjective choices and the absence of rational grounding in decision-making.
  • Kierkegaard's writings, like "Either/Or," offer a unique perspective on moral confusion and the necessity of subjective leaps of faith in a world devoid of clear rational guidelines.
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