Kierkegaard F&T

Introduction

• The first thinker in Radical Philosophy is Søren Kierkegaard.

• Focuses on fundamental themes of existentialism:

  • Authenticity

  • Individuality

  • Freedom / Responsibility in making choices

  • Absurdity

  • Dread

  • Existential despair and a form of anxiety called angst

Kierkegaard's Struggle with Kant

• Kant's Influence: Kierkegaard wrestles with problems posed by Kant:

  1. Distinction between things-as-they-are and things-as-they-are-for-me

  2. Knowledge is limited to things-as-they-are-for-me

  3. Objective Truth exists only in things-as-they-are

  4. Conclusion: Objective truth remains unknowable for individuals

• Religious Perspective:

  • Kierkegaard frames this distinction in religious terms:

    1. Human finitude vs. God's infinity

    2. Absolute Truth is God's perspective (sub speciae aeternitatis)

    3. The gulf between finite humans and the infinite creates barriers to knowing God

    4. Connection with God is sought for discovering existential meaning and value, yet feels unattainable

Kierkegaard's Biography

• Timeline:

  • Born in Denmark (1813-1855)

  • Major Works:

    • Either/Or (1843)

    • Fear and Trembling (1843)

    • Repetition (1843)

    • The Concept of Anxiety (1844)

    • Concluding Unscientific Postscript (1846)

    • Sickness Unto Death (1849)

• Personal Life:

  • Broke engagement with Regine Olsen in 1838, influencing his writing

  • Contemplates regret associated with choices:

    • "If you marry, you will regret it; if you do not marry, you will also regret it…"

• Social Engagement:

  • Known for his approachability, Kierkegaard engaged with the poor and common laborers in Copenhagen

Writing Style and Approach

• Pseudonymous Writing:

  • Used pseudonyms for 'indirect communication':

    • Victor Eremita

    • Johannes de Silentio

    • Constantine Constantius

    • Vigilius Haufniensis

    • Nicolaus Notabene

    • Hilarius Bookbinder

    • Johannes Climacus

    • Inter et Inter

Key Themes in Fear and Trembling

• Story of Abraham and Isaac:

  • Emphasizes Abraham as a "knight of faith"; acts independently and follows conviction

  • Reflects on the ethical dilemma of Abraham's intent to sacrifice his son

  • Concept of "Teleological Suspension of the Ethical":

    • Focus on telos (end/goal)

    • No rational justification for Abraham's actions

• Aporia of Abraham's Faith:

  • Abraham's actions are deemed right yet remain incomprehensible

  • Paradox of placing oneself in absolute relation to the absolute

• Sarah Bakewell's Interpretation:

  • Suggests that Kierkegaard is amazed by Abraham and Isaac's ability to return to normalcy post-crisis

  • Importance of making impossible leaps to continue with life after confronting its flaws

  • Abraham's resignation and reclamation of everything on the strength of the absurd