Philosophers: Soren Kierkegaard On Believing In Yourself Against All Odds

Summary

This video explores Soren Kierkegaard's philosophy on individuality and self-belief. It delves into his concepts of angst, dread, and the importance of personal responsibility and choices. The narrative follows Kierkegaard's journey from societal expectations to self-discovery, emphasizing the struggle against existential despair. The video outlines a three-step process to finding one's path: from seeking pleasure to embracing ethics and ultimately, religious faith as a means to individuality. It encourages viewers to believe in themselves and live authentically, despite life's challenges.

Takeaways

• 🎭 Soren Kierkegaard was a philosopher who deeply explored themes like angst, dread, responsibility, and morality.
• 🚨 Kierkegaard experienced existential dread and felt a heavy burden of responsibility, which influenced his work and life choices.
• 💔 In a pivotal moment, Kierkegaard broke off his engagement and放弃了 his lucrative career, driven by an inability to bear the world's weight.
• 🧠 After his personal upheaval, he delved into human thought, critically examining the philosophical and religious mainstream of his time.
• 🏛 He was particularly critical of Hegel's ideas, feeling they contributed to the decline of genuine Christian faith and individuality.
• 🌍 Kierkegaard emphasized the importance of being an individual, taking charge of one's reality, and not just following the crowd.
• 🔄 He observed that people often blindly follow trends and opinions, lacking the confidence to form their own views and live authentically.
• 🔮 Life, according to Kierkegaard, must be understood backwards but has to be lived forwards, highlighting the difficulty of making choices with foresight.
• 🌐 Kierkegaard believed that the fear of making wrong choices and the regret they might bring can paralyze us and prevent us from living fully.
• 📚 His work, though challenging, offers a path to gaining confidence and believing in oneself, no matter the challenges life presents.
• 💖 Ultimately, Kierkegaard suggests that love, which sees truths about individuals that others cannot, is what can make life worth living.

Q & A

Who is Soren Kierkegaard and what is his significance?

Soren Kierkegaard was a Danish philosopher who significantly influenced the fields of existentialism and theology. He is known for developing modern conceptions of terms like angst and dread, and for his emphasis on individual responsibility, morality, and the importance of subjective experience.

What event in October 1841 marked a turning point in Kierkegaard's life?

In October 1841, Kierkegaard broke off his engagement to the woman he intended to marry and gave up his lucrative career. This event marked the beginning of his great and lonely journey, where he locked himself in his apartment and began to deeply explore human thought.

What was Kierkegaard's view on the philosophy of Friedrich Wilhelm Hegel?

Kierkegaard was unimpressed by Hegel's philosophy of history and spirit, which he felt allowed the Christian faith to continue in its decline. He believed that Hegel's ideas led to a superficial understanding of faith and a loss of individual responsibility.

What does Kierkegaard mean when he says 'only the individual'?

For Kierkegaard, 'only the individual' meant the supreme importance of individuality and personal responsibility. He believed that individuals should form their own opinions and not simply be mouthpieces for popular ideas.

How does Kierkegaard describe the process of self-development?

Kierkegaard describes self-development as a long and arduous process where individuals must move beyond the pursuit of pleasure and ethical norms to form their own opinions and take charge of their reality.

What does Kierkegaard suggest about the fear of making the wrong life choices?

Kierkegaard suggests that the fear of making the wrong life choices can paralyze us and prevent us from living authentically. He emphasizes that life must be lived forwards, not understood backwards, and that we should not let the fear of regret dictate our actions.

What is the significance of the phrase 'losing oneself' in Kierkegaard's philosophy?

In Kierkegaard's philosophy, 'losing oneself' refers to losing one's individuality and becoming lost in the crowd or the expectations of society. It is the greatest hazard because it can occur quietly and without notice, leading to a life devoid of authenticity.

What is the three-step process that Kierkegaard outlines for discovering one's way in the world?

Kierkegaard outlines a three-step process that includes the phase of pleasure, the ethical phase, and the religious phase. This process is meant to help individuals discover their own path and gain the fortitude to live authentically.

How does Kierkegaard define the 'ethical' phase in his three-step process?

In the ethical phase, individuals begin to understand the consequences of their actions and the importance of community and responsibility. However, Kierkegaard points out that ethical norms can change with time and culture, so this phase does not fully represent individuality.

What role does faith play in Kierkegaard's final phase of self-discovery?

In the final phase, faith is crucial as it represents a move beyond the cultural and ethical norms to a personal, unwavering belief in something greater. For Kierkegaard, this meant faith in God, but the concept can be adapted to a personal philosophy or set of values that guide one's life.

What does Kierkegaard say about love and how it relates to individuality?

Kierkegaard suggests that love is an expression of the one who loves, not the one who is loved. It reveals truths about individuals that others cannot see, indicating that love is a deeply personal and individual experience that goes beyond superficial preferences.