6.2 Kierkegaard and Existentialism
5 min read•august 15, 2024
Kierkegaard's focuses on individual existence, freedom, and choice. He emphasizes , despair, and faith as key aspects of the human experience, challenging traditional philosophical approaches with his emphasis on and personal engagement.
Kierkegaard's ideas laid the groundwork for later existentialist thinkers. His concepts of anxiety, , and the importance of individual choice continue to resonate in modern discussions of ethics, identity, and the human condition.
Kierkegaard's Existential Concepts
Anxiety, Despair, and Faith
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- Anxiety (angst) represents dizzying awareness of freedom and possibility leading to dread and excitement
- Despair arises from misrelation between finite and infinite aspects of human existence
- Leap of faith involves passionate commitment to belief despite objective uncertainty (religious matters)
- "The single individual" emphasizes personal responsibility and authenticity in choices and beliefs
- Three stages of existence represent different modes of living (aesthetic, ethical, religious)
- Aesthetic stage focuses on immediate pleasure and sensory experiences
- Ethical stage involves commitment to moral principles and social norms
- Religious stage requires a leap of faith and personal relationship with the divine
- Truth as subjectivity challenges traditional philosophical approaches emphasizing personal engagement over abstract reasoning
- Example: Personal interpretation of religious texts over dogmatic teachings
- Example: Valuing lived experiences in ethical decision-making rather than universal moral rules
Kierkegaard's Philosophical Approach
- Critique of Hegelian systematic philosophy highlights limitations of objective, rationalistic approaches
- Becoming a self involves process of self-discovery and -making
- Example: Choosing a career based on personal passion rather than societal expectations
- Example: Embracing one's unique talents and quirks instead of conforming to social norms
- Emphasis on passionate commitment and inwardness as key aspects of genuine faith and existence
- and play crucial roles in religious faith and individual experience
- Example: The Christian concept of the incarnation (God becoming human)
- Example: The existential paradox of finding meaning in a seemingly meaningless universe
Subjectivity and Individuality in Kierkegaard
Primacy of Personal Experience
- Subjectivity refers to primacy of personal experience and interpretation in understanding truth and meaning
- "The single individual" emphasizes uniqueness of each person's existence and importance of self-reflection
- Passionate commitment and inwardness serve as key aspects of genuine faith and existence
- Example: Developing a personal relationship with God through prayer and contemplation
- Example: Pursuing a creative passion despite lack of external validation or recognition
- Concept of "becoming a self" involves ongoing process of self-discovery and authentic choice-making
- Example: Continuously reassessing and refining one's values and beliefs throughout life
- Example: Making difficult decisions based on personal convictions rather than societal pressures
Critique of Objective Approaches
- Kierkegaard criticizes Hegelian systematic philosophy highlighting limitations of objective, rationalistic approaches
- Emphasis on paradox and absurdity in relation to religious faith and individual experience
- Example: The "teleological suspension of the ethical" in Kierkegaard's interpretation of Abraham's sacrifice
- Example: The existential dilemma of finding purpose in a universe without inherent meaning
- Challenges traditional philosophical approaches by prioritizing personal engagement over abstract reasoning
- Example: Valuing the lived experience of love over philosophical treatises on the concept
- Example: Emphasizing the importance of personal faith over theological arguments for God's existence
Kierkegaard's Influence on Existentialism
Impact on Key Existentialist Thinkers
- 's concept of radical freedom and authenticity influenced by Kierkegaard's emphasis on individual existence
- Example: Sartre's famous statement "existence precedes essence" echoes Kierkegaard's focus on becoming
- Albert Camus' exploration of the absurd in human existence traces back to Kierkegaard's reflections on paradox and faith
- Example: Camus' "The Myth of Sisyphus" draws on Kierkegaard's ideas about the absurdity of human existence
- Martin Heidegger's analysis of anxiety (Angst) and being-towards-death shows clear connections to Kierkegaard's treatment
- Example: Heidegger's concept of "thrownness" relates to Kierkegaard's ideas about the human condition
- Simone de Beauvoir's focus on ethical responsibility and situated freedom draws on Kierkegaard's ideas about individual choice
- Example: Beauvoir's exploration of women's existence in "The Second Sex" builds on Kierkegaard's emphasis on subjectivity
Philosophical Approaches and Concepts
- "Existence precedes essence" in later existentialism extends Kierkegaard's emphasis on becoming rather than fixed human nature
- Critique of systematic philosophy and emphasis on lived experience influenced phenomenological approach of later existentialists
- Example: Maurice Merleau-Ponty's focus on embodied experience in
- Example: Emmanuel Levinas' emphasis on the face-to-face encounter in ethics
Existential Themes and the Human Condition
Contemporary Relevance of Existentialist Ideas
- Individual responsibility and choice remain relevant in addressing contemporary ethical dilemmas and decision-making
- Example: Navigating complex moral issues in bioethics (genetic engineering, end-of-life care)
- Example: Making career choices in a rapidly changing job market
- Anxiety and alienation resonate with modern experiences of social disconnection and technological advancement
- Example: Feelings of isolation and anxiety in social media-dominated communication
- Example: Existential dread in the face of climate change and global crises
- Authenticity offers framework for addressing issues of identity and self-realization in diverse cultural contexts
- Example: Navigating cultural expectations while maintaining personal integrity
- Example: Developing authentic self-expression in the age of personal branding and online personas
Existentialism and Modern Society
- Critiques of mass society and conformity remain pertinent in analyzing contemporary consumer culture and social media dynamics
- Example: The pressure to conform to beauty standards promoted by influencer culture
- Example: The challenge of maintaining in the face of algorithmic recommendations
- Meaning-making in the face of apparent meaninglessness provides perspective for addressing nihilism and despair in modern life
- Example: Finding personal purpose in a secularized, post-religious society
- Example: Creating meaning through art, relationships, or personal projects in a seemingly indifferent universe
- Freedom and accompanying anxiety offer insights into understanding and coping with uncertainty in rapidly changing societies
- Example: Navigating career choices in the gig economy and rapidly evolving job market
- Example: Making life decisions in the context of global political and environmental instability
- Notion of "bad faith" provides tool for examining self-deception and inauthenticity in personal and social relationships
- Example: Recognizing and addressing patterns of self-deception in romantic relationships
- Example: Identifying instances of inauthenticity in political discourse and social movements
Key Terms to Review (20)
Absurdity: Absurdity refers to the conflict between the human desire for meaning and the indifferent universe that offers none. It highlights the inherent contradictions in life, leading individuals to confront the limitations of reason and the lack of ultimate purpose. This concept is essential in existential thought, as it challenges individuals to find their own meaning in a seemingly chaotic existence.
Anxiety: Anxiety is a fundamental aspect of human experience characterized by feelings of unease, worry, or fear about the future. It often arises from the awareness of one's existence and the inherent uncertainties of life. In the context of philosophy, it serves as a critical lens through which individuals confront their own freedom and responsibility, particularly in relation to existential thought and being-in-the-world.
Authentic Choice: Authentic choice refers to the idea of making decisions that are true to one's self, reflecting individual values, beliefs, and desires rather than conforming to external pressures or societal expectations. This concept emphasizes personal freedom and responsibility, highlighting the importance of self-awareness and introspection in the decision-making process. Authentic choices are central to the existentialist philosophy, particularly in the works of Kierkegaard, where they embody the struggle for individuality and meaning in a complex and often ambiguous world.
Authenticity: Authenticity refers to the quality of being true to oneself, aligning one's actions and beliefs with one's inner values and identity. This concept is crucial in existentialist thought, as it emphasizes the importance of individual choice and self-determination while grappling with the pressures of societal expectations. Authenticity challenges individuals to confront their existence, make meaningful choices, and live genuinely in a world often filled with inauthenticity.
Christian Existentialism: Christian existentialism is a philosophical movement that combines existentialist themes with Christian theology, emphasizing individual freedom, choice, and the personal relationship between the believer and God. This perspective highlights the importance of subjective experience and the individual's search for meaning within the framework of faith, often addressing the tension between belief and doubt.
Either/or: Either/or is a philosophical concept introduced by Søren Kierkegaard, emphasizing the choice between two distinct ways of living or modes of existence. This term encapsulates the idea of making existential choices, particularly between the aesthetic life, focused on pleasure and immediate satisfaction, and the ethical life, centered on moral responsibilities and commitments.
Existential Choice: Existential choice refers to the process of making decisions that reflect an individual's personal values, beliefs, and sense of self, often in the face of uncertainty and ambiguity. This concept emphasizes the importance of individual agency and authenticity, highlighting how choices define one's existence and essence. It connects deeply with themes of personal responsibility, anxiety, and the search for meaning within an often indifferent or chaotic world.
Existential despair: Existential despair is a profound sense of anguish and uncertainty regarding the meaning and purpose of life, often stemming from an individual's confrontation with the inherent absurdity of existence. It reflects a state where one feels alienated, isolated, and overwhelmed by the weight of personal freedom and choice, leading to feelings of emptiness and hopelessness. This concept is crucial in understanding the human condition, particularly in relation to existentialist thought.
Existential nihilism: Existential nihilism is the philosophical belief that life lacks inherent meaning, purpose, or value. This perspective asserts that since existence precedes essence, individuals must confront the absurdity of their lives and the universe. It emphasizes the freedom and responsibility of individuals to create their own meaning in a world that offers none, connecting closely with existentialist themes of choice, authenticity, and despair.
Existentialism: Existentialism is a philosophical movement that emphasizes individual existence, freedom, and choice, asserting that people create their own meaning in a seemingly indifferent or absurd universe. It challenges the notion of objective truth and explores the subjective experience of existence, focusing on the individual's struggle to find purpose and authenticity amidst societal norms.
Faith vs. reason: Faith vs. reason refers to the philosophical debate concerning the relationship between belief and rationality. This tension highlights how individuals navigate the complexities of existence, often choosing between believing in something without evidence (faith) or relying on logical and empirical evidence (reason) to form their understanding of the world.
Fear and Trembling: 'Fear and Trembling' is a philosophical work by Søren Kierkegaard that explores the concept of faith through the biblical story of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac. This text delves into the complexities of belief, ethics, and the individual's relationship with the divine, highlighting the existential struggle that arises when faith and morality conflict. It serves as a cornerstone for understanding existentialism, particularly in how it emphasizes personal choice and the subjective experience of truth.
Friedrich Nietzsche: Friedrich Nietzsche was a German philosopher known for his critique of traditional morality and religion, advocating for the idea of the 'Übermensch' or 'Overman' as a model for human potential. His work emphasizes individualism, the will to power, and the concept of eternal recurrence, all of which connect deeply with existential thought and challenge established norms.
Individuality: Individuality refers to the quality or character of a particular person that distinguishes them from others, emphasizing personal uniqueness and self-expression. This concept is essential in understanding the existentialist viewpoint, particularly as it relates to self-awareness, personal choice, and the struggle for authenticity in a world filled with societal expectations and norms.
Jean-Paul Sartre: Jean-Paul Sartre was a French philosopher, playwright, novelist, and political activist, known for his foundational role in existentialism and his emphasis on individual freedom, responsibility, and the nature of existence. His ideas connect deeply with themes of human existence, subjectivity, and the interplay between consciousness and reality, making him a pivotal figure in 20th-century philosophy.
Paradox: A paradox is a statement or concept that contradicts itself or appears to be self-defeating but may reveal a deeper truth upon closer examination. In the context of existentialism, particularly with the influence of Kierkegaard, paradoxes often highlight the complexities of human existence, faith, and the nature of reality. These contradictions force individuals to confront the limits of rational thought and embrace the ambiguity inherent in human experience.
Phenomenology: Phenomenology is a philosophical approach that focuses on the structures of experience and consciousness, aiming to understand how individuals perceive and make sense of the world around them. It emphasizes direct experience and the meaning that arises from it, rather than abstract theories or concepts. This method has deep connections with the ideas of subjectivity, existence, and embodiment, which are crucial for various philosophical inquiries.
Subjectivity: Subjectivity refers to the way individuals perceive and interpret their experiences, emphasizing personal feelings, thoughts, and perspectives. It highlights the importance of personal meaning and understanding in shaping one’s reality, contrasting with objective truths that are independent of individual interpretation. In the context of modern philosophy, subjectivity is crucial for understanding existential themes, where individual existence and choices take center stage.
The aesthetic vs. the ethical: The aesthetic vs. the ethical is a philosophical distinction that reflects two different ways of living and understanding life. The aesthetic approach prioritizes personal pleasure, enjoyment, and experience, often focusing on beauty and sensory experiences, while the ethical emphasizes moral responsibilities, commitments, and the pursuit of a meaningful life grounded in duty and obligation. This contrast is particularly significant in existential thought, highlighting the tension between self-fulfillment and societal expectations.
The leap of faith: The leap of faith is a concept primarily associated with Søren Kierkegaard, representing the act of believing in something despite a lack of empirical evidence or rational justification. This idea emphasizes the importance of personal choice and commitment in the face of uncertainty and despair, urging individuals to embrace their beliefs and values even when they cannot be fully rationalized.