Soren Kierkegaard

Background of Kierkegaard

Known as "father of existentialism". Danish philosopher. Wanted to renew Christianity.

Describe Kierkegaard's early life.

Kierkegaard did not like authority. Didn't become a pastor to avoid the church authority/hierarchy. Didn't become a professor to avoid state authority.

Stance on religion/church

-->God exists in the individual.

-->Faith requires passion.

-->Wanted individual to move towards the unknown.

What did he think of faith?

Heavy emphasis on faith over intellectual understanding/reason. Faith implied choice.

Kierkegaard's opinion on philosophy?

It is superior to both art(aesthetic) and faith(religious).

What is the "absurd"?

Anything that cannot be rationally explained or justified. It surpasses all human and intelligible possibility.

What are the three "stages on life's way"?

1)The aesthetic (individual experience, from sensory experience)

2)The ethical (actions performed publicly and for the common good)

3) The religious (single individual existing in a private relationship with God)

What else does faith include?

-->Making a leap into the absurd.

--> Faith is required in the religious.

-->Faith and the leap help someone become a "knight of faith"

What is teleological suspension of the ethical?

-->Teleological means "in regard to the end"

-->Suspend ethical because you have faith in the end.

-->Ex: Abraham performs teleological suspension of the ethical when he decides to kill Isaac.

->Abraham knows killing Isaac is unethical

->He suspends ethical b/c he has faith of the end.

->Put religious concerns over ethical concerns.

What is eternal consciousness?

Being aware of one's selfhood.