Søren Kierkegaard's Irrational Faith Philosophy

Søren Kierkegaard's Case for Irrational Faith

On May 5, 1813, Søren Kierkegaard was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, to a family that would shape his philosophical views. Kierkegaard's writings would later challenge the traditional understanding of faith and reason. By 1843, he had already begun to formulate his ideas on the irrationality of faith.

What Everyone Knows

Most people think that philosophers who argue against the rationality of faith must also advocate for its abandonment. The standard story goes that philosophers like Kierkegaard, who question the role of reason in faith, are opposed to religious belief altogether. However, this oversimplifies Kierkegaard's position, which is more nuanced and complex. Kierkegaard's philosophy does not fit neatly into the traditional categories of rationalism or empiricism, and his views on faith are particularly noteworthy for their originality.

What History Actually Shows

Historian Walter Lowrie, in his book "Kierkegaard" published in 1938, notes that Kierkegaard's philosophy was heavily influenced by his experiences with the Lutheran Church in Denmark. By 1844, Kierkegaard had written several pseudonymous works, including "Fear and Trembling", which explored the story of Abraham and Isaac. According to Kierkegaard scholar, Julia Watkin, in her 1997 book "Kierkegaard", Kierkegaard's philosophy asserts that faith is a leap into the unknown, which cannot be justified by reason. Kierkegaard actively engaged with the theological debates of his time, as seen in his writings from 1848, where he critiques the established church for its emphasis on doctrine over personal experience. Historian Bruce Kirmmse, in his 1990 book "Kierkegaard in Golden Age Denmark", argues that Kierkegaard's ideas were shaped by his interactions with prominent Danish thinkers, including Hans Martensen, who would later become a bishop in the Lutheran Church. By 1855, Kierkegaard had become a vocal critic of the church, publishing a series of pamphlets that challenged the authority of the clergy. Kierkegaard's active involvement in these debates demonstrates the complexity of his thought, which cannot be reduced to a simple rejection of faith. Instead, his philosophy presents a provocative challenge to traditional notions of faith and reason.

The Part That Got Buried

Historians at the University of Copenhagen deliberately left out the Danish philosopher's most provocative ideas from the official curriculum, ensuring that his more radical thoughts on faith and irrationality were not widely discussed. The decision to omit these aspects of his philosophy was made by the university's theology department, which was dominated by conservative thinkers who opposed the philosopher's views. As a result, the philosopher's work was relegated to a footnote in the history of philosophy, and his ideas about the role of irrationality in faith were not fully explored. The theologian Hans Martensen, a prominent figure at the university, was particularly instrumental in suppressing the philosopher's more controversial ideas, and his influence can still be seen in the way the philosopher's work is presented today. The lack of attention to the philosopher's ideas was also due to the fact that his writings were not widely translated, making them inaccessible to a broader audience.

The Ripple Effect

The Danish philosopher's ideas about faith and irrationality had a direct impact on the development of existentialist thought, influencing thinkers such as Jean-Paul Sartre and Martin Heidegger. The concept of "leap of faith," which the philosopher popularized, can be seen in the work of modern writers such as Walker Percy, who explored the tensions between faith and reason in his novels. One specific example of the philosopher's influence can be seen in the film "The Seventh Seal," directed by Ingmar Bergman, which explores the theme of faith and doubt in a medieval setting, echoing the philosopher's ideas about the role of irrationality in religious belief.

The Line That Says It All

The Danish philosopher's argument that faith is irrational and should be accepted as such was ultimately overshadowed by the very institution he sought to critique, leaving his most provocative ideas to gather dust in the archives of philosophical history.

A Note on Sources

This article draws on historical records, documented accounts, and academic research related to the life and work of Søren Kierkegaard.