Kierkegaard’s Thought

Søren Kierkegaard’s philosophy stands in sharp contrast to the ideas of Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, one of the most influential philosophers of his time. While Hegel emphasized the blending of opposites and the collective progress of humanity, Kierkegaard focused on personal choice, individuality, and faith. His existentialist perspective rejected the idea of a universal system that absorbs individual identity and instead stressed the necessity of personal commitment and authentic living.

Kierkegaard’s Critique of Hegel: The Rejection of Dialectical Synthesis

Hegel’s philosophy revolves around the concept of dialectical synthesis, where conflicting ideas (thesis and antithesis) merge into a higher understanding (synthesis). For example, if freedom is seen as absolute personal liberty (thesis) and another view holds that freedom requires laws for order (antithesis), Hegel would argue that true freedom lies in a balance of both. Kierkegaard, however, rejected this notion of merging opposites into harmony. He believed that life often demands decisive choices between conflicting paths rather than a compromise. His work Either/Or emphasizes that individuals must commit fully to one path, even if it involves uncertainty and risk. 

The Crowd: The Loss of Individuality

Another key theme in Kierkegaard’s philosophy is his critique of “the crowd.” He argued that individuals often conform to societal expectations, losing their personal identity and responsibility. He famously stated, “A crowd … in its very concept is the untruth,” because it weakens personal responsibility and leads people to act without genuine conviction. When individuals follow the majority without reflection, they stop thinking for themselves. Kierkegaard insisted that true selfhood requires standing apart from the crowd, even at the cost of criticism or isolation. He would encourage, for example, an activist opposing an unjust law to remain steadfast, as personal integrity is more important than public approval.

Individuality: Kierkegaard vs. Hegel

Kierkegaard and Hegel also fundamentally differed in their views on individuality. Hegel believed that personal identity gains meaning by contributing to a greater whole, such as society or the state. In contrast, Kierkegaard insisted that each person is unique and must take responsibility for becoming their true self. Whereas Hegel saw value in collective progress, Kierkegaard saw the highest value in personal decision-making and faith. For instance, a painter’s work, according to Hegel, has meaning only if it contributes to cultural progress, while Kierkegaard would argue that its intrinsic value lies in the painter’s authentic self-expression, regardless of societal recognition.

Kierkegaard’s Philosophy of Human Development

The Dialectic of Man: A Three-Stage Journey

Kierkegaard described human life as a developmental process but differed significantly from Hegel in his approach. While Hegel saw development as an automatic integration into a universal system, Kierkegaard viewed it as an individual journey requiring conscious choices. He outlined three distinct stages through which a person must progress to attain true selfhood: the Aesthetic Stage, the Ethical Stage, and the Religious Stage (or the Stage of Faith).

The Aesthetic Stage: The Pursuit of Pleasure

The first stage of life, the Aesthetic Stage, is characterized by the pursuit of pleasure, beauty, and personal gratification. Individuals at this stage prioritize enjoyment, often avoiding deeper responsibilities or existential questions. This doesn’t necessarily mean they are immoral; they may simply be absorbed in art, entertainment, or worldly pleasures. Kierkegaard himself lived through this stage in his youth, indulging in luxury and carefree pleasures. He symbolized this stage through the character of Don Juan, the ultimate seducer, who lives for pleasure but ultimately finds no lasting fulfillment. Eventually, individuals in this stage experience despair, realizing that superficial pleasures cannot provide true meaning. At this point, they must make a choice: remain trapped in despair or take a step toward a higher stage of existence.

The Ethical Stage: Responsibility and Moral Commitment

The second stage, the Ethical Stage, marks a shift from self-indulgence to moral responsibility. Individuals at this stage recognize that life is not just about personal pleasure but about living according to ethical principles. They strive for integrity, discipline, and a sense of duty toward others. For instance, a person who once led a carefree life might now commit to marriage, family, or social service, guided by moral values. Kierkegaard saw Socrates as the ideal symbol of this stage—someone who lived by ethical principles and accepted personal responsibility, even to the point of his own death. However, despite its moral progress, the Ethical Stage is still limited. Over time, individuals realize they cannot achieve moral perfection, no matter how hard they try. This realization leads to despair, forcing them to confront another critical choice: continue struggling within the limitations of ethics or move beyond it toward faith.

The Religious Stage: The Leap of Faith

The highest stage in Kierkegaard’s philosophy is the Religious Stage, where an individual fully embraces their identity through a personal relationship with God. At this stage, the person acknowledges their human limitations and takes a leap of faith, trusting in divine grace rather than relying solely on ethical reasoning. Kierkegaard distinguished faith from morality, arguing that sometimes faith transcends ethical norms. His famous example is Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice Isaac, an act that defies conventional morality yet represents absolute trust in God. Similarly, Kierkegaard’s own life reflected this principle—he broke off his engagement with Regine Olsen, believing that it was God’s will, even though it seemed morally questionable. Faith, according to Kierkegaard, is the only resolution to the despair experienced in the earlier stages. It is through faith that individuals find their true meaning and fulfillment.