Kierkegaard

Soren Kierkegaard

• Mid 19th Century thinker. Critic of Modernism from Descartes though Kant

• Typically viewed as the founder of existentialism

• Emphasizes the importance of subjectivity in seeking truth in contrast to the modern emphasis on objectivity

Existentalism (Kierkegaard)

Live has no pre-given meaning, individuals are free and responsible for creating their own purpose and values through the choice and actions.

Philosophical Fragments

Taken to be a direct contradiction to Hegel’s claim that philosophy can only be done as a system

The Socratic Meno’s paradox

One cannot seek what he already knows but one cannot seek what he does know

Socratic Recollection

Socrates solution to the paradox is that everyone must already know the truth in some important sense, but be unable to access it. therefore the role of philosopher is to draw the already existent truth out of the individual

This view is in contrast to modern philosophy assumption that the truth is out there

Considers the possibility that we cannot know the truth on our own, but that we can come upon it supernaturally and subjectively

The Human Condition

Socrates assumes we all have the truth within us. But Kierk considers the opposite possibility that we are all systematically in error.

Cartesian Circle

Descartes claims we can trust our clear and distinct ideas like God existence because God guarantees truth

The Nature of the Teacher

• The Socratic Teacher

  The Supernatural teacher

The Socratic Teacher

Can make us aware of our own ignorance and make us search more avidly for the truth

The Supernatural Teacher

Can provide both the truth and internal changes needed to understand and embrace it

The Mocker

The ideas are still vital and require serious consideration