The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast Ep. 331: Kierkegaard's "Either/Or": The Ethical Life (Part One)
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Dec 11, 2023 This podcast explores Kierkegaard's essay on the balance between the esthetic and ethical in the development of personality, discussing the importance of making choices and the integration of religious and ethical aspects. It also touches on the concept of choice, the process of creating oneself, and the differences between aesthetic and ethical earnestness.
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Authentic Choice Essential
- The aesthete's failure lies in lack of authentic choice, leading to incoherent self-development.
- Indecisiveness equates to not truly choosing, which stunts personality growth.
Despair Reveals Choice Failure
- The aesthete experiences unconscious despair stemming from failing to make real choices.
- Conscious despair signals a possible turning point toward ethical life and authentic engagement.
Aesthete’s Career Indecision Example
- Kierkegaard’s Judge illustrates the aesthete’s indecisiveness with examples like career hopping: pastor, actor, hairdresser.
- These actions show seriousness without lasting commitment, illustrating the ethical failure.