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Philosophy Reporting

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15 views4 pages

Philosophy Reporting

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Cintoft
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Søren Kierkegaard

Søren Kierkegaard, a 19th-century Danish philosopher, is considered the "Father of


Existentialism" and influenced 20th-century philosophy, particularly existentialism and
postmodernism. He criticized philosophical systems from Friedrich Hegel and Immanuel
Kant, and emphasized the importance of subjectivity in understanding one's existence.
Kierkegaard argued that truth is not just about discovering objective facts but also about
how one relates to those facts. He believed that ethical actions are more important than
objective facts, leading to the concept of subjectivity.

EXISTENTIALISM
Søren Kierkegaard's existentialism emphasizes the significance of individual existence and
personal choice in finding meaning in life. He rejects abstract philosophical systems like Hegel's
and believes authentic existence arises through faith, conscious choices, and self-awareness
through aesthetic, ethical, and religious stages.

FAITH AND SUBJECTIVITY


Søren Kierkegaard's philosophy centers on faith and subjectivity, emphasizing that true
understanding arises from personal experience rather than objective knowledge. He
famously stated, "subjectivity is truth," suggesting that how individuals relate to truths is
crucial, especially in moral and religious contexts. Kierkegaard's exploration of faith and
subjectivity challenges individuals to seek personal truths through lived experience and
ethical responsibility.

FAITH
Kierkegaard posited that faith is not merely an intellectual agreement but a deeply
personal experience. He emphasized that true faith involves living out one's beliefs, as
illustrated in his analysis of biblical figures like Abraham, who exemplified a personal
relationship with God beyond rational understanding

SUBJECTIVITY
The meaning of "Subjectivity is truth" by Søren Kierkegaard, emphasizes the
importance of individual experiences and perspectives in understanding and
interpreting truth. It highlights the unique ways in which individuals perceive and
interpret the world, rather than relying solely on objective data or information.
Subjectivity also highlights the significance of individual decision-making in faith and
moral decision-making, emphasizing that true faith is a personal relationship with God,
not just a set of beliefs.

For example, someone who has had a significant spiritual experience may have a distinct
viewpoint on God. This notion emphasizes the relevance of religion and moral decision-
making, as well as the uniqueness of each individual's worldview.

THREE STAGES OF LIFE


Kierkegaard's first literary period distinguishes three stages of life: aesthetic, ethical, and
religious. These stages are not biological or psychological, but rather directional, with the
earlier stages having the later ones as their telos.

• THE AESTHETIC a life defined simply by experiencing pleasures, like sensuous


desires and intellectual enjoyment
• THE ETHICAL
a life defined by following normative ethical guidelines and social conventions.
• THE RELIGIOUS
a life defined by a personal relationship with God, the highest plane of existence.

INDIRECT COMMUNICATION
• Indirect communication is a way to present an issue, such as Christianity or "the
religious", while acknowledging that no expression will be completely satisfactory.
Kierkegaard also believed that works of art can be a form of indirect
communication, helping people to see themselves and the world around them in
new ways.

EXISTENTIAL CHOICE
Søren Kierkegaard, a Danish philosopher and one of the founders of existentialism,
believed that making choices is the key to living an authentic life. Kierkegaard's
philosophy emphasized the importance of personal choice and commitment, and
he believed that people should live by their own opinions instead of being guided
by society.

ANXIETY AND EXISTENCE


He explored concepts like anxiety, which he viewed as a fundamental
aspect of human existence, arising from the freedom to choose and the
inherent uncertainties of life. This existential anxiety underscores the
necessity of making authentic choices in life. He describes anxiety as "the
dizziness of freedom”. Kierkegaard argues that anxiety is not merely a
negative experience; it serves as a catalyst for self-awareness and personal
growth. By recognizing and embracing anxiety, individuals can better
understand their potential and the nature of their existence, ultimately
leading to a more authentic life.

HERE ARE SOME OF KIERKEGAARD’S IDEAS ABOUT CHOICE:


• Individual freedom and responsibility
Kierkegaard believed that people should be free to make their own choices and
take responsibility for them. He criticized philosophical systems that he thought
reduced people to parts of a larger historical process.
• Subjective truth
Kierkegaard believed that truth is personal and experiential, rather than objective
and universal.

The choice to obey God unconditionally is a true existential 'either/or' decision


faced by the individual. Either one chooses to live in faith (the religious stage) or to
live ethically (the ethical stage). In Either/Or, Kierkegaard insists that the single
individual has ethical responsibility of his life.

Kierkegaard's famous quote:

“Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards”.

Kierkegaard's quote highlights the tension between understanding our experiences


and the necessity of moving forward in life. It suggests that we often make sense
of our past—learning from our experiences and reflecting on them— but we must
still navigate life without knowing what lies ahead. Essentially, it emphasizes the
importance of reflection in understanding our journey while recognizing that we
must continue to act and make choices in the present.

MORE INFORMATION
Even if speculative philosophy could deliver what it promises, it would have
forgotten that the highest human task is not COGNITIVE but rather the PERSONAL
appropriation or embodiment of whatever insights into the good and the right one
is able to achieve. Becoming a self in this way is called existence, inwardness, and
subjectivity. This use of existence as a technical term for the finite, human self that
is always in the process of becoming can be seen as the birth of existentialism.

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