Kierkegaard - Desespero Humano

Summary

The lecture discusses Kierkegaard's 'The Sickness Unto Death', exploring human despair as a spiritual sickness. It highlights the human struggle with contradictions of being both finite and infinite. Despair is seen as a gateway to spiritual transcendence, with faith in the absolute helping overcome it. The lecture emphasizes the importance of solitude for self-reflection and the belief in oneself as a spirit capable of achieving synthesis and eternity.

Takeaways

• 📚 The lecture is based on the book 'The Sickness Unto Death' by Søren Kierkegaard, published in 1849, which delves into the concept of despair in human existence.
• 🧠 The book is philosophically dense and is divided into two parts: the first dealing with despair as a mortal sickness, and the second with despair and sin, though the latter is not covered in this lecture.
• 💭 Kierkegaard views humans as a synthesis of the infinite and the finite, temporal and eternal, freedom and necessity, highlighting the inherent contradictions in human existence.
• 🤔 Despair is described as the inability to achieve balance and rest through one's own strength, leading to a fixation on the finite and temporal aspects of life rather than the eternal and infinite.
• 🚫 The two forms of true despair are: not wanting to be oneself (low self-esteem) and wanting to be oneself but being unable to achieve equilibrium and rest.
• 🌟 Despair, when viewed abstractly, is considered advantageous as it lifts humans out of animality and towards spirituality, according to Kierkegaard.
• 🙏 From an individual's perspective, despair is the worst form of misery and can lead to a continuous experience of 'dying', which contrasts with the abstract view of despair as beneficial.
• 🌱 The concept of despair is universal; most people are unconscious of their spiritual destiny, and thus, live in a form of despair, which is a lack of consciousness of being.
• 🧘‍♂️ Overcoming despair involves a confrontation with solitude, where individuals can reflect on their spiritual nature and seek transcendence beyond their natural limitations.
• ✝️ Kierkegaard uses biblical references to illustrate the struggle with despair and the role of faith in achieving the 'Supreme impossibility', which is to be oneself through divine intervention.
• 🌟 The ultimate goal is for individuals to believe in their ability to synthesize the infinite and finite aspects of their existence, transcend despair, and connect with the absolute for a sense of eternal life and freedom.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the lecture based on the transcript?

The main theme of the lecture is the concept of 'despair' as explored in the book 'The Sickness Unto Death' by Søren Kierkegaard.

When was 'The Sickness Unto Death' published, and what are its key divisions?

'The Sickness Unto Death' was published in 1849 and is divided into two parts. The first part discusses despair as a mortal sickness, further divided into three books: Book 1 on despair as a sickness, Book 2 on the universality of despair, and Book 3 on the personification of despair. The second part, not covered in the lecture, deals with despair and sin.

How does Kierkegaard define the human being in the context of despair?

Kierkegaard defines the human being as a synthesis of the infinite and the finite, the temporal and the eternal, freedom and necessity. This synthesis includes contradictions that humans experience, and the inability to reconcile these on their own leads to despair.

What are the two forms of true despair according to Kierkegaard as mentioned in the lecture?

The two forms of true despair are: 1) Not wanting to be oneself, which can manifest as low self-esteem or self-rejection, and 2) Wanting to be oneself but facing the inability to achieve balance and rest, leading to a continuous internal struggle.

What does Kierkegaard suggest is the role of despair in human existence?

Kierkegaard suggests that despair, while painful, serves to elevate humans above their animalistic nature and propels them towards spirituality. It is a category of the spirit that relates to human eternity and the potential for transcendence.

How does the concept of 'spirituality' relate to despair in Kierkegaard's philosophy?

In Kierkegaard's philosophy, spirituality is closely related to despair as it represents the human capacity to transcend their natural limitations and reach towards the eternal. Despair is seen as a catalyst for spiritual awakening and growth.

What does Kierkegaard mean by 'the universality of despair'?

Kierkegaard's concept of 'the universality of despair' implies that all humans experience despair to some degree, often unknowingly. It is a state of being unconscious of one's spiritual destiny, which can only be overcome by recognizing and confronting one's despair.

What is the significance of 'solitude' in dealing with despair according to the lecture?

Solitude is significant in dealing with despair because it allows individuals to confront their own despair and work towards spiritual transcendence. It is a space for self-reflection and engagement with one's eternal nature.

How does Kierkegaard view the role of faith in overcoming despair?

Kierkegaard views faith as a crucial element in overcoming despair. It involves a passionate commitment to the possible, which is achieved through solitude, self-reflection, and a belief in the 'absolute' or divine power that can assist in transcending human limitations.

What does Kierkegaard propose as the ultimate goal for humans in relation to despair?

Kierkegaard proposes that the ultimate goal for humans in relation to despair is to achieve a synthesis of the finite and the infinite, the temporal and the eternal, through faith and a spiritual connection with the absolute, leading to a state of greater freedom and eternal existence.

How does the lecture conclude regarding the human condition and despair?

The lecture concludes that the opposite of despair is faith, which involves believing in one's ability to synthesize and transcend limitations with the help of an absolute power. This belief leads to a deeper understanding of one's spiritual nature and the potential for unity with the absolute.