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Kierkegaard on the Present (Passionless) Age

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Mar 30, 2022

Guest

Jacob Howland

Jacob Howland, a retired philosophy professor and author, delves into the existential insights of Søren Kierkegaard. He discusses the stark differences between ages of passion and reflection, suggesting that contemporary society often prioritizes conformity over individual courage. Howland emphasizes the necessity of embracing authenticity and risk to navigate life's uncertainties, underscoring Kierkegaard's call for personal truth amid societal pressures. The conversation also touches on the decline of spontaneity in sports as a reflection of broader cultural stagnation.

59:58

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Episode notes

insights

INSIGHT

Kierkegaard's View of Socrates

Kierkegaard saw Socrates' passion for truth as analogous to Christian faith.
Socrates took risks in his pursuit of truth, highlighting the role of passion in bridging uncertainty.

insights

INSIGHT

Kierkegaard's Core Themes

Kierkegaard focused on individual existence and the passion needed to live meaningfully.
He is considered a Christian existentialist due to his emphasis on individual experience.

insights

INSIGHT

Subjectivity and Truth

Kierkegaard believed in objective truth but emphasized the individual's relationship with it.
He questioned the depth of belief, even in those who worship the true God, if lacking passion.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Kierkegaard: The Evolved Philosopher

03:17 • 26min

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Contrasting Kierkegaard's Ages: Passion vs. Reflection

29:10 • 5min

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The Power of Passion in Decision-Making

34:00 • 5min

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Living Passionately: Kierkegaard's Challenge

38:58 • 10min

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The Decline of Spontaneity in Professional Sports

48:34 • 2min

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The Dangers of Reflection in Sports and Individualism

50:14 • 12min

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Embracing Individualism: Kierkegaard's Call to Authenticity

01:02:05 • 3min

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#2183

• Mentioned in 12 episodes

Either/or

A Fragment of Life

Søren Kierkegaard

In 'Either/Or', Kierkegaard juxtaposes the aesthetic and ethical modes of life through the writings of two imaginary characters, 'A' and 'B'. Part 1, written by 'A', presents the aesthetic man, with essays on topics such as Mozart’s 'Don Giovanni', ancient tragedy, and the famous 'Seducer’s Diary'. Part 2, written by 'B', a middle-aged judge, advocates for an ethical life, emphasizing the importance of commitments like marriage and the development of the inner self. The book is a rich and suggestive exploration of existential choices, though it lacks a clear message, leaving interpretations open to the reader. It also includes a final sermon that highlights the limitations of both worldviews and points towards a religious perspective.

#3134

• Mentioned in 8 episodes

The sickness unto death

Søren Kierkegaard

#12814

• Mentioned in 2 episodes

On the advantage and disadvantage of history for life

Friedrich Nietzsche

In this work, Nietzsche examines the proper functioning of history in service to human life and culture. He distinguishes between three types of history: monumental, antiquarian, and critical, and argues that an over-saturation with history can be hostile to life and culture. Nietzsche criticizes his contemporaries for misjudging the importance of history and discusses the psychological and epistemological problems that arise from an excessive focus on the past. He advocates for a balance between remembering and forgetting to ensure the health of individual and collective life.

#2275

• Mentioned in 11 episodes

Fear and trembling

Søren Kierkegaard

Søren Kierkegaard's 'Fear and Trembling' is a philosophical exploration of faith and the ethical dilemmas it presents. The work centers on the biblical story of Abraham and Isaac, examining the conflict between ethical demands and religious faith. Kierkegaard argues that true faith requires a leap of faith, a suspension of ethical considerations in favor of absolute commitment to God. The book's profound insights into the nature of faith and the individual's relationship with God have had a lasting impact on religious thought and existentialism. Kierkegaard's work challenges readers to confront the complexities of faith and to grapple with the ultimate questions of existence.

#23043

Kierkegaard and Socrates

Jacob Howland

This book examines the intersection of philosophy and faith in Kierkegaard's 'Philosophical Fragments', focusing on the significance of Socrates. It argues that Socratic philosophical eros can lead to faith, highlighting the erotic nature of faith in a Socratic sense. The work also analyzes Kierkegaard's reflections on Socrates and Christ, drawing parallels between Socratic inquiry and Christian faith.

#15208

• Mentioned in 2 episodes

Two ages

the age of revolution and the present age : a literary review

Søren Kierkegaard

In 'Two Ages: A Literary Review', Kierkegaard critiques the novel 'Two Ages' by Thomasine Christine Gyllembourg-Ehrensvärd, using it as a platform to discuss the societal shifts from the Age of Revolution to the Present Age. He argues that the Present Age is characterized by a lack of passion and an emphasis on conformity, leading to a depersonalization of individuals. Kierkegaard advocates for a return to individuality and ethical stances despite societal pressures.

#15984

• Mentioned in 2 episodes

Concluding unscientific postscript to "Philosophical fragments"

Søren Kierkegaard

Concluding Unscientific Postscript to Philosophical Fragments is a pivotal work by Søren Kierkegaard, written under the pseudonym Johannes Climacus. It critiques Hegelian philosophy, arguing that truth is subjective and deeply personal, rather than objective and universally applicable. The book is a foundational text in existentialism, emphasizing individual experience and commitment over systematic philosophy.

#10665

• Mentioned in 3 episodes

Philosophical Fragments

Søren Kierkegaard

Do you ever feel like the time we live in feels flat, complacent, timid, conformist, populated by people who are focused on playing it safe and are inwardly empty?

A century and a half ago, the Danish philosopher Soren Kierkegaard felt the same way about the period in which he lived, and posited that there are two kinds of ages: the revolutionary, decisive, and passionate, and the sensible, rational, and reflective.

Here to unpack Kierkegaard’s ideas on these two kinds of ages is Jacob Howland, retired professor of philosophy and author of Kierkegaard and Socrates. Today on the show, Jacob and I first discuss some background on Kierkegaard and his existential philosophy. We then get into the differences between an age of passion and an age of reflection. We discuss how in a passionate age, an individual stands as an individual, possesses an energy which focuses on truth and ideals, and has the courage to take bold leaps of faith, while in a reflective age, the individual is subsumed by the crowd, is afraid of public opinion, and gets so lost in analysis and abstraction that he never makes a decisive move. All along the way, we delve into how Kierkegaard’s description of his age parallels our own, and Kierkegaard’s evergreen call to be an individual, embrace risk, and own your opinions and actions.

Resources Related to the Podcast

Works by Kierkegaard mentioned in the show:
Thomasine Christine Gyllembourg-Ehrensvärd
Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel
On the Advantage and Disadvantage of History for Life by Friedrich Nietzsche
“Yes, Sabermetrics Ruined Baseball”
AoM Article: Your Three Selves and How Not to Fall Into Despair
AoM Article: An Intro to Envy
AoM Podcast #635: The Existentialist’s Survival Guide

Connect With Jacob Howland

Jacob’s Website

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