The Absolute Paradox For Kierkegaard Essay - 1609 Words

1. What is the Absolute Paradox for Kierkegaard? In responding to this paradox, why does the contemporary follower of Christ not have an advantage over later followers? In chapter 3 of Philosophical Fragments, Kierkegaard begins his discussion on the â€Å"Absolute Paradox† by revealing paradox as â€Å"the passion of thought.† Kierkegaard claims that humans desperately want to discover something they are unable to contemplate and are, thus, only leading themselves toward the downfall of all thought. We are unable to contemplate the â€Å"unknown†, and the unknown— according to Kierkegaard—is essentially God. Humans are foolish in their attempt to prove God’s existence; for humans’ attempted to do so already assumes god’s existence. In other words, , there would be no need for proof. The bible is in no way able to act as the only proof of God’s existence. To argue that the events in the world must derive from an all-good being (God) assumes that these events are all ultimately good—and this assumption is based on the belief that there exists an all-good author of these works. Ki erkegaard claims that the â€Å"paradox of thought† is God enabling humans with the knowledge of his existence by making us aware of sin—a quality held by humans that separates them (and the rest of humanity) from the divine. In teaching the difference between God and human beings, God fashioned our human nature which was manifested on earth as Jesus. Thus, the contemporary follower of Christ was able to observeShow MoreRelatedEssay on Kierkegaards View on Faith1045 Words   |  5 PagesKierkegaards View on Faith Kierkegaard was a Danish philosopher in the mid 1800s. He is known to be the father of existentialism and was at least 70 years ahead of his time. Kierkegaard set out to attack Kant’s rational ethics and make attacks on the Christianity of our day. He poses the question, how do we understand faith? He states that faith equals the absurd. In â€Å"Fear and Trembling†, he uses the story of Abraham and his son Isaac to show an example of faith as the absurd. The story ofRead MoreEssay about Soren Kierkegaards Fear And Trembling959 Words   |  4 PagesSoren Kierkegaards Fear and Trembling, Abraham, found in a paradox between two ethical duties, is confronted with this question. He has ethical duties to be faithful to God and also to his son, Isaac. He believes that God demands him to sacrifice Isaac. But, Abraham, firmly adhering to his faith, submitted to what he believed was the will of God. By using his perspective and that of his alternative guise, Johannes de Si lentio, Kierkegaard concentrates on the story of Abraham in such a way that hisRead MoreComparison Between Nietzsche And Kierkegaard1244 Words   |  5 PagesNietzsche and Kierkegaard are both considered to be the top existentialists for solely different reasons, as well as being very different from each other. They have different philosophies when it comes to their thoughts on religion and it is important to see exactly how they line up in this regard. The best way to do this is to start from the beginning of each’s work, their history and how they grew into their respective roles in their fields. It is also important to note exactly what existentialismRead MoreAnalysis Of Kierkegaard s Fear And Trembling 1032 Words   |  5 Pagesindividual if there is no leap towards word of mouth. Kierkegaard exemplifies such mocking rhapsodies in his piece â€Å"Fear and Trembling†. Scattered within are multiple insults shot at individuals whom he wills deserving of it. Breezil y crucifying ill-mannered beliefs, and rendering hopeless their application, Kierkegaard makes his first deprecatory stop at the gate of objective and speculative philosophy. Objective thinkers are swerved by Kierkegaard as he states â€Å" When a cellar-dweller plays this gameRead MoreA Summary, Analysis and Discussion of Sà ¸ren Kierkegaard, Training in Christianity2560 Words   |  11 PagesA  summary, analysis and discussion of Sà ¸ren Kierkegaard, Training in Christianity[1] I. Introduction In this essay, I will try to summarize, analyze and discuss several pages of Sà ¸ren Kierkegaard’s Training in Christianity. I will try to focus on his approach to sacred history, a general Christian history and Christianity, which he discusses in this work in relation to faith in God. In other parts of this essay I will attempt also to relate these pages of his work to some key ideas ofRead MoreSoren Kierkegaards The Iliad, By Simone Weil1349 Words   |  6 Pageswhich they have come to posses, that they are no longer empathetic. This then turns the individual into an instrument of the force, thus making the individual with power and the individual without both subjugated to the force. This is where the paradox occurs, force in itself cannot be possessed but instead possesses those who wish to wield, turning the individual into an instrument (15/69). In this sense force levels the playing field. The blindness that comes with the use of force â€Å"establishesRead MoreKierkegaard And Communism1747 Words   |  7 PagesOn first and second glance, it may appear impossible to draw any concrete connection between the philosophy of Sà ¸ren Kierkegaard, a seventeenth century Danish Philosopher who worked heavily on existential themes, faith, and Christianity, and the Soviet Union. On one hand, Kierkegaard himself lived his life almost solely in Denmark, rarely leaving his own hometown, so his experience of the World outside of Denmark was extremely limited and focused on his world, especially the world of the Danish NationalRead MoreSoren Kierkegaard on God1772 Words   |  7 PagesKierkegaard claims that, Infinite resignation is the last stage before faith, so anyon e who has not made this movement does not have faith, for only in infinite resignation does an individual become conscious of his eternal validity, and only then can one speak of grasping existence by virtue of faith, (page 52). This idea is demonstrated when Abraham surrenders himself to his fate and surrenders the life of his son to God. This infinite resignation is the reason God grants Abraham his son’s lifeRead MoreMy Journey Toward The Complexity Of God2593 Words   |  11 PagesSacred and The Profane, Martin Buber s I and Thou, and Sà ¸ren Kierkegaard s Practice in Christianity have all forced an encounter with the myriad of ways in which humans experience God. Through this encounter, each author has provided ideas about a new outlet to experience God: Eliade taught us how to experience God in all parts of nature; Buber gave us a mold for the ideal relationship with God and others in the I-Thou, and Kierkegaard reminded us of the necessity of faith in the face of the offenseRead More Existentialism Essay1778 Words   |  8 Pagesthe ever- changing and unexpected challenges of the day. According to the Existentialists, the starting point of every philosophical investigation is concrete human existence. That means that human personality in itself should point the way to the absolute value of reality. A single definition of existentialism is impossible. Definitions, provided by dictionaries are only part of what existentialism is about. †¦central to each definition is the assertion that existentialism is a theory or statement