Single Idea 5650

[catalogued under 23. Ethics / F. Existentialism / 5. Existence-Essence]

Full Idea

For Kierkegaard, reason, which produces only abstractions, negates our individual essence; this essence is subjectivity, and subjectivity exists only in the 'leap of faith', whereby the individual casts in his lot with eternity.

Gist of Idea

Reason is just abstractions, so our essence needs a subjective 'leap of faith'

Source

report of Søren Kierkegaard (Either/Or: a fragment of life [1843]) by Roger Scruton - Short History of Modern Philosophy Ch.13

Book Reference

Scruton,Roger: 'A Short History of Modern Philosophy' [ARK 1985], p.189


A Reaction

Interesting, but this strikes me as a confusion of reason and logic. A logical life would indeed be a sort of death, and need faith as an escape, but a broad view of the rational life includes emotion, imagination and laughter. Blind faith is disaster.