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Soren Kierkegaard

Soren Aaabye Kierkegaard, the nineteenth century scholar who contributed to several adjacent branches of science such as philosophy, theology and psychology is widely known as “father of existentialism” who contributed to the development of modernism and successfully analyzed Christian faith. The key concern of his work deals with individual existence and concerns Christianity and subjectivity that is in its turn a precondition for becoming fully Christian. According to the scholar, truth is rooted in subjectivity and as a modern human does not have any objectively verifiable data about Jesus, any truth about Him comes through subjective means. The process of discovering God, for Kierkegaard, is continuous and requires being subjective. Salvation is achieved in becoming contemporary with Christ who is not connected with simple categories of true and untrue. He regards God as an incarnation of the ultimate paradox that can be viewed only in subjective or passionate way.

The philosopher considers truth from the perspective of it having dual character: the objective and subjective truth. Kierkegaard’s subjective basis for truth presupposes recognition and coming into terms with individual existence. To be an existing individual a person is simultaneously to be and not to be, as he is in process of constant becoming. Subjective is opposed to objective reflection, as “the objective accent falls on what is said, the subjective accent in how it is said”. Truth as subjectivity for Kierkegaard is a rational state of existence, subjectivity being synonymous with passion. To live subjectively means to live decisively and be involved in eternal state and happiness. Objective reflection turns existence into something indifferent and vanishing, it results in objective truth. Truth about existence and God, however, should be held personally and passionately.

Kierkegaard’s “Truth as Subjectivity” presents the scholar’s unique, challenging but rewarding thought on the way of being in the world and on personal experience that reveals religious truth. Kierkegaard raises awareness of an individual being personally concerned, inward and subjective, his being subjective and passionate lead him to eternal happiness.

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