Søren Kierkegaard’s Existentialism: Examining His Emphasis on Individual Existence, Subjectivity, and Faith
(Lecture Hall dims, a single spotlight illuminates a figure pacing with restless energy. He’s dressed in a tweed jacket, slightly disheveled, and clutches a well-worn copy of "Fear and Trembling.")
Lecturer: Good evening, students! Or, as Kierkegaard might say, "Good evening, individual beings struggling to define yourselves against the crushing weight of the universe!" 😅
Welcome to Kierkegaard 101: The Course That Will Make You Question Everything (Especially Whether You Should Be Taking This Course).
(He winks, adjusts his glasses, and takes a swig of coffee from a mug emblazoned with "Existence Precedes Essence")
Tonight, we’re diving headfirst into the wonderfully weird world of Søren Kierkegaard, often hailed (or cursed) as the grandfather of existentialism. Forget your neatly packaged philosophical systems! Forget the comfortable abstractions! We’re here to wrestle with the raw, messy reality of being an individual, a single, solitary "this" facing the abyss. 😱
What We Will Cover Tonight:
| Section | Topic | Key Ideas | Emoji |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Existential Context: Hegel’s Shadow | Understanding the philosophical landscape Kierkegaard reacted against. | 👤 vs. ⚙️ |
| 2 | Individual Existence: The ‘Single Individual’ | Rejecting the herd mentality, embracing the burden of self-definition. | 🧍♂️ |
| 3 | Subjectivity: Truth is Interiority | The limitations of objective truth, the primacy of personal experience. | ❤️🧠 |
| 4 | Faith: The Leap of Faith | The paradox of faith, the absurdity of religious belief. | 🙏 |
| 5 | The Stages on Life’s Way | Aesthetic, Ethical, and Religious: A roadmap (of sorts) to self-discovery. | 🗺️ |
| 6 | Why Kierkegaard Still Matters | The enduring relevance of Kierkegaard in the modern world. | ⏳ |
(He gestures dramatically.)
1. The Existential Context: Hegel’s Shadow
Let’s set the stage. Imagine 19th-century Europe. Philosophy was dominated by the imposing figure of Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel. 🏛️ Hegel, bless his systematic soul, believed that history was unfolding according to a rational, predetermined plan, culminating in the "Absolute Spirit." Think of it as a cosmic algorithm, where everything fits neatly into place.
(The lecturer pulls out a large, perfectly organized flowchart. He then crumples it dramatically.)
Kierkegaard saw this as utter nonsense! He felt Hegel’s system suffocated the individual, reducing them to a mere cog in a grand, deterministic machine. ⚙️ He believed that Hegel’s emphasis on abstract concepts ignored the lived experience of real people, grappling with real choices, facing real anxieties.
For Kierkegaard, the focus should be on the individual – the "single individual" – not some abstract, collective entity. He wasn’t interested in grand historical narratives; he was interested in your story, your choices, your struggles.
Key Difference:
| Feature | Hegel’s Philosophy | Kierkegaard’s Philosophy |
|---|---|---|
| Emphasis | System, Absolute Spirit | Individual, Existence |
| Truth | Objective, Rational | Subjective, Personal |
| Individual Role | Cog in a Machine | Unique, Responsible Agent |
| Method | Abstract, Deductive | Concrete, Existential |
(He points at the audience.)
You! Yes, you! What are you going to do with your life? Hegel might say you’re simply fulfilling your preordained role in the grand scheme of things. Kierkegaard would say, "That’s bull! You have to choose! You have to create your own meaning!"
2. Individual Existence: The ‘Single Individual’
This brings us to a central tenet of Kierkegaard’s philosophy: the importance of individual existence. For Kierkegaard, existence is not merely being; it’s becoming. It’s a process of constant striving, of making choices, of defining yourself through your actions.
He famously wrote, "The thing is to find a truth which is true for me, to find the idea for which I can live and die." 💥
(He leans in conspiratorially.)
Notice the emphasis on "for me." It’s not about finding some universal truth that applies to everyone. It’s about finding your truth, the truth that resonates with your soul, the truth that gives your life meaning.
This is where the "single individual" comes in. Kierkegaard believed that true existence requires breaking free from the herd mentality, from the pressure to conform, from the easy answers offered by society. It means standing alone, facing the abyss, and making your own choices.
Think of it like this: you’re stranded on a desert island. 🏝️ No one is telling you what to do. No one is judging your choices. You are completely responsible for your own survival, for your own happiness, for your own being. That, in essence, is what Kierkegaard is talking about.
(He pauses for effect.)
Scary, isn’t it?
3. Subjectivity: Truth is Interiority
Now, if existence is about individual becoming, and finding a truth that is true for me, then subjectivity becomes paramount. Kierkegaard argued that objective truth, the kind of truth that can be proven scientifically or logically, is ultimately irrelevant to the most important questions of human existence.
Why? Because objective truth doesn’t tell you how to live, how to love, how to find meaning in a world that often seems meaningless. It doesn’t address the anguish, the despair, the joy, the hope that define the human experience.
(He holds up a textbook.)
This textbook might tell you the capital of France is Paris. That’s an objective truth. Great! But it doesn’t tell you anything about the experience of being in Paris, of walking along the Seine, of feeling the weight of history, of falling in love in a Parisian cafe. ❤️
Kierkegaard believed that true knowledge, the kind of knowledge that transforms your life, comes from within. It’s the knowledge that you gain through personal experience, through reflection, through grappling with your own doubts and fears. He called this "truth is interiority."
(He points to his chest.)
It’s about the truths you hold in your heart, the beliefs that shape your actions, the values that guide your life. It’s about the stories you tell yourself, the narratives you create to make sense of the world. These are the things that truly matter, and they are all inherently subjective.
Example:
Imagine two people witnessing the same event, say, a beautiful sunset. 🌅 One person might objectively describe the colors, the angles of light, the atmospheric conditions. The other person might experience a profound sense of awe, of connection to something larger than themselves. Which experience is more meaningful? For Kierkegaard, the answer is clear: the subjective experience, the feeling of awe, is far more valuable.
4. Faith: The Leap of Faith
Perhaps the most controversial aspect of Kierkegaard’s philosophy is his concept of faith. He argued that faith is not about rational belief or intellectual assent to a set of doctrines. It’s about a passionate, irrational commitment to something that cannot be proven, something that may even seem absurd.
He described faith as a "leap of faith," a blind jump into the unknown, a willingness to believe in the face of uncertainty and doubt. 🪂
(He dramatically mimes jumping off a cliff.)
Why is this leap necessary? Because, according to Kierkegaard, reason alone cannot lead us to God. Reason can only take us so far. To truly believe, to truly have faith, we must abandon reason and embrace the paradoxical nature of religious belief.
This is most famously illustrated in his book Fear and Trembling, where he explores the story of Abraham and Isaac. God commands Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac, a command that is both morally repugnant and logically absurd. Yet, Abraham is willing to obey, not because he understands God’s will, but because he has faith in God.
Kierkegaard argues that Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice Isaac is the ultimate expression of faith. It’s a testament to his unwavering commitment, even in the face of incomprehensible demands.
(He shakes his head.)
Now, before you start thinking Kierkegaard was a religious fanatic, it’s important to understand his nuanced view of faith. He wasn’t advocating for blind obedience or unquestioning acceptance of religious dogma. He was arguing that true faith requires a constant struggle, a continuous wrestling with doubt, a recognition of the absurdity of religious belief.
He saw faith as a passionate, personal relationship with God, a relationship that is constantly being tested and redefined. It’s not about having all the answers; it’s about embracing the mystery.
5. The Stages on Life’s Way
Kierkegaard outlined three "stages on life’s way," representing different approaches to existence. These aren’t necessarily linear or sequential; rather, they represent different modes of being that an individual can adopt at any point in their life.
Let’s take a look:
| Stage | Description | Key Characteristics | Example | Danger |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aesthetic | Living for pleasure, seeking immediate gratification, avoiding commitment. | Pursuit of novelty, fleeting experiences, superficial relationships, fear of boredom. | Don Juan, the seducer, constantly seeking new conquests. | Despair, emptiness, meaninglessness. |
| Ethical | Living according to moral principles, fulfilling social obligations, striving for good. | Adherence to rules, commitment to duty, concern for others, belief in universal values. | The responsible citizen, the dutiful employee, the loving spouse. | Rigidity, legalism, self-righteousness. |
| Religious | Living in faith, surrendering to God, embracing the absurd. | Passionate commitment, acceptance of suffering, recognition of one’s own limitations, forgiveness. | Abraham, willing to sacrifice Isaac. | Fanaticism, irrationality, rejection of the world. |
(He taps the table.)
The Aesthetic stage is all about immediate gratification, pleasure, and avoiding boredom at all costs. Think of the hedonist, bouncing from one thrill to the next, always chasing the next high. 🎉 While it might seem fun for a while, Kierkegaard argued that this stage ultimately leads to emptiness and despair.
The Ethical stage involves embracing moral principles, fulfilling social obligations, and striving for the good. This is where we become responsible citizens, dutiful employees, and loving partners. While this stage is certainly more fulfilling than the aesthetic, Kierkegaard believed it can also lead to rigidity, legalism, and self-righteousness.
Finally, the Religious stage involves a leap of faith, a passionate commitment to God, and an acceptance of the absurd. This is the highest stage, according to Kierkegaard, but it’s also the most difficult. It requires a complete surrender of the self, a willingness to embrace suffering, and a recognition of one’s own limitations.
(He scratches his chin.)
Of course, it’s important to remember that these stages are not meant to be a rigid framework. They’re more like guideposts, helping us to understand the different ways we can approach existence. The goal isn’t to reach the "Religious" stage and stay there. It’s about constantly striving, constantly questioning, constantly redefining ourselves.
6. Why Kierkegaard Still Matters
So, why should we care about a 19th-century Danish philosopher with a penchant for paradox and a gloomy outlook on life? 🤔
(He smiles.)
Because Kierkegaard’s ideas are more relevant today than ever before! In a world dominated by technology, consumerism, and social media, his emphasis on individual existence, subjectivity, and the search for meaning is a powerful antidote to the alienation and superficiality of modern life.
He reminds us that we are not just cogs in a machine, that we are not defined by our possessions or our social media profiles, that we have a responsibility to create our own meaning and to live authentically.
Here’s why Kierkegaard resonates today:
- Individualism: In an age of increasing conformity, Kierkegaard’s call for individual authenticity is more important than ever. He encourages us to think for ourselves, to challenge the status quo, and to live according to our own values.
- Subjectivity: In a world obsessed with objective data and scientific proof, Kierkegaard reminds us that the most important truths are often subjective, personal, and emotional. He encourages us to trust our own experiences and to value our own feelings.
- Meaning and Purpose: In a society often characterized by meaninglessness and despair, Kierkegaard offers a path to finding meaning and purpose in life through faith, commitment, and a passionate engagement with the world.
- Anxiety and Existential Dread: Let’s face it, modern life is anxiety-inducing. Kierkegaard faced his own anxieties and encourages us to face ours. He helps us acknowledge the fear of the unknown and find meaning in the face of that fear.
(He looks directly at the audience.)
Kierkegaard’s philosophy is not easy. It’s challenging, demanding, and often uncomfortable. But it’s also incredibly rewarding. It forces us to confront the most fundamental questions about our existence and to take responsibility for our own lives.
(He closes his book.)
So, go forth, my students! Embrace the absurdity! Question everything! And, most importantly, find your own truth, the truth that is true for you.
(The lecturer bows as the lights fade. The audience is left to ponder the weighty questions raised by the lecture, perhaps feeling slightly more anxious, but also slightly more alive.) 😅
