Kierkegaard: Subjectivity as Truth and the Leap of Faith

Learning Outcomes

1. Understand Søren Kierkegaard’s approach to subjectivity as a basis for truth.
2. Analyze the Leap of Faith in the context of existentialism and religious experience.
3. Differentiate Kierkegaard’s ideas from other existential and phenomenological philosophers.

Kierkegaard’s Philosophical Context

Søren Kierkegaard, often referred to as the father of existentialism, developed a philosophy deeply rooted in the subjective experience of the individual. His work marks a distinct shift from the dominant philosophical trends of the time, which emphasized objective, universal truths. Kierkegaard sought to redirect philosophical focus towards personal experience and individual existence, introducing concepts like subjectivity as truth and the leap of faith, which are pivotal in understanding the human condition from a phenomenological and existential lens.

Subjectivity as Truth

Kierkegaard is most famously associated with the assertion that subjectivity is the essence of truth. This claim counters traditional notions of truth in Western philosophy, which were primarily grounded in objective reason and universal laws. For Kierkegaard, truth is not an external or objective correspondence between ideas and reality, but an existential and subjective relationship between the individual and their life choices.

1. Objective Truth: Traditional philosophers, particularly those influenced by rationalism and empiricism, sought objective knowledge by determining universal truths. For example, in mathematics or science, truths can be empirically verified or logically deduced. However, these truths remain detached from the individual’s personal existence.

2. Subjective Truth: Kierkegaard’s concern was not with facts or scientific truths but with truths of existence. He argued that subjective truth is the kind of truth that is meaningful to the individual who is living it. It is not a question of whether a proposition corresponds to reality but whether it speaks to the individual’s authentic self and guides their personal choices. In this sense, truth is something that one lives rather than something one discovers.

3. Authenticity and Passion: For Kierkegaard, the key to subjective truth lies in the passion and commitment with which an individual approaches their life decisions. This passionate engagement with one’s existential reality creates a deeper authenticity and a more profound sense of truth than detached, objective knowledge. In matters of faith, for example, Kierkegaard argues that it is not the doctrinal correctness of one’s beliefs that matters, but the passion with which one believes.

4. Inwardness: Central to Kierkegaard’s philosophy is the idea of inwardness, the deep, personal commitment that transcends external validations. Inwardness refers to the inner experience of the individual, where truth becomes intimately connected with self-understanding and the decisions that shape one’s life. This inward commitment is existentially important because it directly concerns how one lives rather than how one theoretically understands reality.

5. Existential Dilemma: Kierkegaard saw subjectivity as a solution to what he considered an existential dilemma. While objective knowledge might provide information about the world, it fails to address the pressing issue of how to live. Kierkegaard thus proposed that truth must be understood in relation to existential questions—how an individual confronts their freedom, despair, and faith.

Important Note: Kierkegaard does not reject objective truths in disciplines like science or logic. Instead, he emphasizes that existential truth—the truth that matters to how we live—cannot be attained solely through objective reasoning.

The Leap of Faith

Kierkegaard’s notion of the leap of faith emerges from his analysis of faith as a unique form of subjective truth. In his view, faith is not a matter of rational deduction or empirical evidence, but a passionate and often irrational commitment to the unknown.

1. Faith and Rationality: In contrast to traditional philosophy, which seeks to ground faith in rational justifications, Kierkegaard argued that faith inherently involves a paradox—it requires belief in something that cannot be fully understood or explained by reason. For instance, in Christianity, the concept of the Incarnation (God becoming man) defies logical explanation. To believe in it requires not intellectual assent but a leap of faith.

2. The Paradox of Faith: Kierkegaard emphasized that the Christian faith is paradoxical because it involves believing in something that is absurd from a rational point of view. The infinite (God) enters the finite (human form), and this paradox cannot be reconciled by logical reasoning. The leap of faith occurs when an individual embraces this paradox, choosing to believe despite the lack of rational evidence.

3. The Moment of Decision: The leap of faith is not a gradual process but a decisive moment in which the individual takes a stand on their existential beliefs. This decision represents a movement away from the objective world of reason and evidence toward the subjective realm of personal belief. In this moment, the individual confronts the absurdity of the human condition and makes an irrevocable commitment.

4. Finitude and Infinity: The leap of faith encapsulates Kierkegaard’s understanding of the relationship between finitude and infinity. Human beings, as finite creatures, encounter the infinite (God, or absolute truth) through the act of faith. This leap is the only means by which the finite individual can transcend their limited perspective and engage with the absolute.

Process-Flow:
Rational Thought → Paradox → Decision → Leap of Faith

5. Fear and Trembling: In his seminal work Fear and Trembling, Kierkegaard illustrates the leap of faith through the biblical story of Abraham and Isaac. Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son at God’s command is the ultimate expression of faith—he embraces the absurdity of the situation and trusts in God’s promise, even though reason suggests otherwise. This story reflects the anguish and tension inherent in the leap of faith.

6. Freedom and Anxiety: The leap of faith also involves a deep sense of anxiety, as the individual faces the uncertainty and freedom that accompanies the decision to believe. Kierkegaard saw anxiety as an inevitable part of human existence, arising from the confrontation with radical freedom. The leap into faith is a response to this existential anxiety, allowing the individual to find meaning in the face of the absurd.

Important Note: Kierkegaard’s leap of faith is not a one-time event but a continuous act of commitment. Every moment of faith involves a renewal of the leap, reaffirming the individual’s subjective relationship with truth.

Comparisons in Western Philosophy

Kierkegaard’s ideas on subjectivity and the leap of faith contrast sharply with other major figures in phenomenology and existentialism.

Kierkegaard’s Influence on Modern Thought

Kierkegaard’s ideas on subjectivity and faith have had a profound influence on modern existentialism and theology. His work has been pivotal in shaping debates on the nature of authenticity, the role of individual freedom, and the meaning of faith in a post-rational world.

MCQ: Kierkegaard’s concept of subjectivity as truth primarily emphasizes:
A) Objective Knowledge
B) Scientific Truths
C) Personal Experience
D) Rational Deduction
Answer: C