Kierkegaard's Life & The Leap Of Faith (Alexander Jech)

Alexander Jech is the Director of Undergraduate Studies for the Philosophy Department and a Faculty Affiliate at the Nanovic Institute for European Studies at the University of Notre Dame. His work often explores political philosophy, ethics, and the limits of language. In 2024, he published a new translation of Søren Kierkegaard's influential work, Fear and Trembling.

We explore Alexander's fascinating and serendipitous journey into studying Kierkegaard, which began somewhat reluctantly but blossomed into his main philosophical passion. We dive deep into the inseparable link between Kierkegaard's tumultuous personal life—marked by his complex relationship with his father and his famously broken engagement to Regina Olsen—and the development of his core philosophical ideas.

Alexander unpacks the intricate concept of indirect communication and the use of pseudonyms in works like "Either/Or". A significant portion of our conversation is dedicated to "Fear and Trembling," where we discuss the paradox of Abraham and Isaac, the nuances of translating the text, and the profound concept of the teleological suspension of the ethical, clarifying common misinterpretations along the way.

Finally, we connect Kierkegaard's thought to the modern day, exploring the "leap of faith" as a model for identity transformation. We discuss how this applies to overcoming addiction, the role of transformative or mystical experiences in creating new possibilities for the self, and the mysterious power of love and the sacred in grounding this leap.

 

0:00 - Introduction & Alexander's Background

3:26 - What Drew Alexander to Kierkegaard?

6:24 - The Serendipitous Path to Becoming a Kierkegaard Scholar

10:07 - Kierkegaard's Relevance for Students

10:38 - Teaching Kierkegaard & The Human Heart

15:20 - How Student Needs Led to a New "Fear and Trembling" Translation

18:12 - Kierkegaard's Historical & Philosophical Context (vs. Hegel & Romantics)

25:54 - The Link Between Kierkegaard's Personal Suffering & His Philosophy

28:05 - Factor 1: The Relationship with His Father

33:03 - Factor 2: The Relationship with Regina Olsen

38:31 - Factor 3: The Art of Indirect Communication

43:26 - How "Either/Or" Was a Tool to Repel Regina

48:14 - The Leap of Faith: Kierkegaard's Personal Failure with Regina

53:28 - Unpacking "Fear and Trembling": The Story of Abraham

58:02 - The Teleological Suspension of the Ethical

1:00:38 - The Correct Interpretation: Kierkegaard's Lack of Faith

1:05:22 - The Paradox of the Teleological Suspension of the Ethical

1:10:06 - Translating the Paradox: The Importance of "Intend" vs. "Want"

1:22:22 - Is Faith a Rejection of Practical Reason?

1:38:00 - The Role of the Revolutionary: Justifying Horrible Acts for a Greater Good?

1:47:17 - Applying Kierkegaard: The Leap, Identity & Transformative Experience

1:58:28 - The Sacred, Possibility, and Bridging the Gap

2:05:28 - Kierkegaard's Answer to the Addict: How to Make the Leap?

2:16:47 - Conclusion

 

This podcast is available in article format: https://tiagovf.medium.com/the-life-of-kierkegaards-life-the-leap-of-faith-41df3231981f

My new book, In Search of the Infinite – A Psychedelic Memoir, is a personal and philosophical account written over seven years, tracing my journey through over a dozen psychedelic experiences. It explores the depths of human experience: suffering, beauty, doubt, and wonder, through the lens of altered states and introspection, gradually moving from a strictly rational worldview toward a renewed engagement with religion. Blending memoir with philosophical reflection, it explores a sincere, evolving search for truth and meaning.

Paperback/Amazon: https://amzn.eu/d/8MM0JhE Free Digital Version: https://psychedelicmemoir.com/

If you would like to connect with me on Instagram, you can do so at @tiagobooks: https://www.instagram.com/tiagobooks/

The intro song is by Lief Sjostrom, titled Peril, from the album 'Impossible Parade'. Website: https://liefsjostrom.com/ Album: https://liefsjostrom.bandcamp.com/album/impossible-parade