Course outline
Module 1
Module 1: Kierkegaard's Life and Works
Kierkegaard's Life and Works
Knowledge check
Q1. What was Soren Kierkegaard's primary philosophical focus?
- A. The nature of the universe
- B. The individual's relationship with God ✓
- C. Political philosophy
- D. The study of physics
Why: Kierkegaard focused on existential and religious themes, particularly the individual's relationship with God and the meaning of life.
Q2. Which pseudonym did Kierkegaard use to write 'Fear and Trembling'?
- A. Victor Eremita ✓
- B. Constantin de Chardin
- C. Hegelian
- D. Pseudo-Abelard
Why: Victor Eremita was one of Kierkegaard's pseudonyms used to write 'Fear and Trembling'.
Q3. What was Kierkegaard's view on faith?
- A. Faith is a rational concept
- B. Faith is a paradox and a leap beyond reason ✓
- C. Faith is unnecessary for salvation
- D. Faith is a scientific principle
Why: Kierkegaard believed faith is a paradox and a leap beyond reason, as illustrated in 'Fear and Trembling'.
Q4. What was the main subject of 'Fear and Trembling'?
- A. The nature of love
- B. The story of Abraham and Isaac ✓
- C. The history of Denmark
- D. The philosophy of Hegel
Why: 'Fear and Trembling' explores the biblical story of Abraham and Isaac, focusing on the concept of faith.
Q5. What was Kierkegaard's attitude toward Hegelian philosophy?
- A. He fully supported it
- B. He was a direct follower of Hegel
- C. He was critical of it ✓
- D. He was indifferent to it
Why: Kierkegaard was critical of Hegelian philosophy, which he believed reduced the complexity of individual existence to abstract systems.
Module 2
Module 2: The Concept of the Knight of Faith
The Concept of the Knight of Faith
Knowledge check
Q1. What does Kierkegaard consider the highest form of existence in Fear and Trembling?
- A. The ethical life
- B. The religious life ✓
- C. The aesthetic life
- D. The existential life
Why: Kierkegaard argues that the religious life, particularly as embodied by the Knight of Faith, represents the highest form of existence because it transcends the ethical and embraces a relationship with the divine.
Q2. Who is the central figure in Fear and Trembling?
- A. Abel
- B. Ishmael
- C. Abraham ✓
- D. Jacob
Why: Abraham is the central figure in Fear and Trembling, as his story is used to illustrate the concept of the Knight of Faith and the paradox of faith.
Q3. What is the paradox of faith according to Kierkegaard?
- A. Faith requires certainty
- B. Faith requires doubt
- C. Faith requires both certainty and doubt ✓
- D. Faith requires no commitment
Why: Kierkegaard describes the paradox of faith as requiring both certainty and doubt, as the Knight of Faith must believe in the impossible and maintain faith despite uncertainty.
Q4. What is the relationship between the ethical and the religious according to Kierkegaard?
- A. They are the same
- B. The ethical is higher than the religious
- C. The religious is higher than the ethical ✓
- D. They are completely separate
Why: Kierkegaard believes that the religious is higher than the ethical because it involves a relationship with God that transcends moral laws and ethical considerations.
Q5. What does Kierkegaard mean by the 'teleological suspension of the ethical'?
- A. Faith is not important
- B. Faith requires ethical behavior
- C. Faith can suspend ethical duties for a higher purpose ✓
- D. Faith is the same as the ethical
Why: Kierkegaard uses the term 'teleological suspension of the ethical' to describe how faith, as exemplified by Abraham, can suspend ethical duties in order to fulfill a higher, divine purpose.
Module 3
Module 3: Fear and Trembling: An Overview
Fear and Trembling: An Overview
Knowledge check
Q1. Who is the author of "Fear and Trembling"?
- A. Søren Kierkegaard ✓
- B. Friedrich Nietzsche
- C. Jean-Paul Sartre
- D. Martin Heidegger
Why: Søren Kierkegaard is the author of "Fear and Trembling".
Q2. What is the pseudonym used by Kierkegaard in "Fear and Trembling"?
- A. Victor Eremita ✓
- B. Jonas
- C. Constantin Constantius
- D. Hegelian
Why: Victor Eremita is the pseudonym used by Kierkegaard in "Fear and Trembling".
Q3. Which biblical story is central to the discussion in "Fear and Trembling"?
- A. The story of Abraham and Isaac ✓
- B. The story of Job
- C. The story of Moses
- D. The story of David
Why: The story of Abraham and Isaac is central to the discussion in "Fear and Trembling".
Q4. What does Kierkegaard refer to as the "teleological suspension of the ethical"?
- A. A moment of moral decision that transcends ethical norms ✓
- B. A philosophical argument against religion
- C. A form of existential despair
- D. A critique of Hegelian philosophy
Why: Kierkegaard refers to the "teleological suspension of the ethical" as a moment of moral decision that transcends ethical norms.
Q5. What is the main focus of "Fear and Trembling"?
- A. The paradox of faith ✓
- B. The nature of happiness
- C. The critique of modern society
- D. The philosophy of freedom
Why: The main focus of "Fear and Trembling" is the paradox of faith.
Module 4
Module 4: Existential Angst and Religious Commitment
Existential Angst and Religious Commitment
Knowledge check
Q1. What is the central theme of Kierkegaard's *Fear and Trembling*?
- A. The absurdity of existence
- B. The paradox of faith ✓
- C. The nature of freedom
- D. The critique of modernity
Why: Kierkegaard explores the paradox of faith through the story of Abraham and Isaac, highlighting the tension between faith and ethical duty.
Q2. Which of the following best describes the concept of 'the leap of faith' in Kierkegaard's philosophy?
- A. A logical deduction based on evidence
- B. A sudden and irrational commitment to God ✓
- C. A gradual process of moral development
- D. A philosophical argument for the existence of God
Why: Kierkegaard views the leap of faith as a passionate, irrational commitment to God that transcends reason and ethical norms.
Q3. In *Fear and Trembling*, who is the primary figure used to illustrate the paradox of faith?
- A. Socrates
- B. Abraham ✓
- C. Jesus
- D. Soren Kierkegaard himself
Why: Abraham is used as the central figure to illustrate the paradox of faith, as he is willing to sacrifice his son Isaac at God's command.
Q4. What does Kierkegaard mean by 'the ethical' in *Fear and Trembling*?
- A. The pursuit of personal happiness
- B. The moral duties and responsibilities of individuals ✓
- C. The religious experience of God
- D. The philosophical understanding of existence
Why: Kierkegaard contrasts the ethical, which is based on moral duties and societal norms, with the religious, which involves faith and a relationship with God.
Q5. According to Kierkegaard, what is the role of anxiety in the human experience?
- A. A sign of mental illness
- B. A natural consequence of freedom ✓
- C. A barrier to religious commitment
- D. A tool for philosophical inquiry
Why: Kierkegaard sees anxiety as an inevitable part of human freedom, arising from the awareness of possibilities and the burden of choice.
Module 5
Module 5: The Aesthete and the Ethical
The Aesthete and the Ethical
Module 6
Module 6: The Role of Parables in Kierkegaard's Writing
The Role of Parables in Kierkegaard's Writing
Module 7
Module 7: Kierkegaard and Modern Existentialism
Kierkegaard and Modern Existentialism
Knowledge check
Q1. What is the title of Kierkegaard's work that explores the story of Abraham and Isaac?
- A. Either/Or
- B. Fear and Trembling ✓
- C. The Sickness Unto Death
- D. Concluding Unscientific Postscript
Why: "Fear and Trembling" is the work in which Kierkegaard analyzes the story of Abraham and Isaac, focusing on the concept of faith.
Q2. According to Kierkegaard, what is the highest form of existence?
- A. Aesthetic
- B. Ethical
- C. Religious ✓
- D. Existential
Why: Kierkegaard believes that the religious stage is the highest form of existence, where individuals make a leap of faith.
Q3. What does Kierkegaard mean by the "leap of faith?"
- A. A rational decision based on evidence
- B. A commitment to ethical duty
- C. A personal, subjective commitment to God despite uncertainty ✓
- D. A philosophical argument about the nature of existence
Why: The "leap of faith" refers to a personal, subjective commitment to God that goes beyond reason and certainty.
Q4. Which of the following authors was influenced by Kierkegaard's ideas and is considered a key figure in modern existentialism?
- A. Friedrich Nietzsche
- B. Jean-Paul Sartre ✓
- C. Immanuel Kant
- D. John Stuart Mill
Why: Jean-Paul Sartre was heavily influenced by Kierkegaard and is considered a major figure in modern existentialism.
Q5. In Kierkegaard's view, what is the role of the individual in relation to God?
- A. To follow religious laws strictly
- B. To make a personal, subjective choice to believe in God ✓
- C. To achieve self-realization through ethical living
- D. To remain indifferent to religious matters
Why: Kierkegaard emphasizes that the individual must make a personal, subjective choice to believe in God, which is central to the religious stage of existence.