9º ano | Filosofia | O conhecimento para Husserl e Kierkegaard | Aula 02

Summary

In this video, the philosopher Søren Kierkegaard's ideas are explored, focusing on his concepts of existence, possibility, and human angst. Kierkegaard, a Danish existentialist, discusses how human decisions shape future possibilities, leading to existential angst. The video also introduces his three stages of life: the aesthetic, the ethical, and the religious. The aesthetic life seeks pleasure to escape angst, the ethical life follows moral laws but doesn’t alleviate existential uncertainty, and the religious life involves a leap of faith, as exemplified by the biblical story of Abraham. Kierkegaard's philosophy highlights the complexities of human existence and the need for faith in navigating life’s uncertainties.

Takeaways

• 😀 Søren Kierkegaard is a Danish philosopher known for his exploration of human existence and the nature of choices.
• 😀 Kierkegaard is often classified as a Christian existentialist, focusing on human actions, consequences, and the uncertainties of life.
• 😀 The concept of **possibility** is central to Kierkegaard's philosophy, as human existence is filled with infinite possibilities, causing uncertainty.
• 😀 **Anguish** arises from the realization that we cannot control the future or predict the outcomes of our choices, making life a leap into the unknown.
• 😀 Kierkegaard identifies three distinct modes of life: **aesthetic**, **ethical**, and **religious**.
• 😀 In the **aesthetic mode**, individuals seek pleasure to escape existential anxiety, but this only deepens their anguish, as they avoid confronting life's uncertainties.
• 😀 The **ethical mode** involves living by moral rules and societal expectations. However, it doesn't resolve anguish, as one constantly questions whether they are living ethically.
• 😀 The **religious mode** represents the highest form of existence for Kierkegaard, where faith transcends rational understanding and leads to peace amid uncertainty.
• 😀 Kierkegaard uses the story of **Abraham and Isaac** as an example of the religious mode, where Abraham's 'leap of faith' illustrates transcending reason for divine trust.
• 😀 The **leap of faith** is a critical concept in Kierkegaard's philosophy, emphasizing the necessity of faith in the face of uncertainty, beyond mere rationality or moral law.

Q & A

Who is Søren Kierkegaard, and why is he important in philosophy?

Søren Kierkegaard was a Danish philosopher known for his deep reflections on human existence, often considered a Christian existentialist. He is important in philosophy because he explored how individuals make decisions, the anxiety that accompanies existence, and the concept of faith as a way to navigate life's uncertainties.

What are the key concepts of Kierkegaard’s philosophy discussed in the lecture?

The key concepts discussed are 'possibility' and 'anxiety.' Possibility refers to the infinite choices and uncertainties in life, while anxiety represents the existential fear of confronting these unknowns.

How does Kierkegaard view the relationship between the future and human anxiety?

Kierkegaard believes that the future is always uncertain, filled with possibilities. This uncertainty creates anxiety because individuals cannot predict or control what will happen, making the future a source of existential fear.

What is the 'leap of faith' in Kierkegaard's philosophy?

The 'leap of faith' refers to the idea that, when facing impossible choices or dilemmas, individuals must make a decisive move into the unknown, trusting in faith rather than reason or rational explanations. It is exemplified in the biblical story of Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son.

What does Kierkegaard mean by the 'aesthetic' mode of life?

The 'aesthetic' mode of life refers to individuals who seek to escape existential anxiety by immersing themselves in pleasure. However, this pursuit of pleasure does not resolve their anxiety; rather, it deepens the cycle of anguish as they try to distract themselves from life's uncertainties.

What is the 'ethical' mode of life, and how does it relate to Kierkegaard’s ideas on anxiety?

The 'ethical' mode of life involves adhering strictly to moral rules and principles. While it may seem to offer structure, it doesn't resolve existential anxiety, as individuals still face constant self-judgment and questions about whether they are living according to the moral law.

What distinguishes the 'religious' mode of life from the aesthetic and ethical modes?

The 'religious' mode of life involves a 'leap of faith,' where individuals transcend both strict moral rules and pleasure-seeking behaviors by trusting in something greater than themselves. This mode offers a deeper resolution to anxiety by accepting uncertainty and trusting in divine guidance, as seen in the story of Abraham.

Why is the story of Abraham used by Kierkegaard to illustrate the religious life?

Kierkegaard uses the story of Abraham to show that true faith involves a leap into the unknown. Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son, despite the moral absurdity, illustrates the trust in divine will beyond rational thought and the ability to transcend both rules and rebellion.

What role does 'angst' (anxiety) play in Kierkegaard's existentialism?

'Angst' or anxiety plays a central role in Kierkegaard's philosophy as it represents the feeling of dread and uncertainty that arises from the infinite possibilities in life. This anxiety is an unavoidable aspect of existence, pushing individuals to confront the meaning and direction of their lives.

How does Kierkegaard’s philosophy relate to the human experience of decision-making?

Kierkegaard’s philosophy emphasizes that decision-making is inherently tied to existential anxiety. As humans face countless possibilities in life, each decision leads to uncertainty, and the anxiety of not knowing the outcomes is a key challenge in the human experience.