Kierkegaard's post-Enlightenment subject : the grammar and goal of belief
Soren Kierkegaard's thesis, ~Truth is Subjectivity~, is presented in <i>Concluding Unscientific Postscript to Philosophical Fragments</i>, as the central philosophical concept of his pseudonymous authorship. Contrary to most readings, it is argued here that Kierkegaard's subjectivity principle is epistemologically normative, not for ethical and religious beliefs only, but for a wider, general epistemology as well. The significance of Kierkegaard's claim that truth is subjectivity is that Kierkegaard is recasting epistemological issues in theological and ethical terms. Part One argues that Kierkegaard formulates his subjectivity principle as a response to the Enlightenment epistemologies, specifically of Kant and Hegel, and more generally Descartes, that seek to ground epistemology infallibly in the metaphysical resources of human rationality. Kierkegaard limits the scope of reason and philosophy in a manner that is reminiscent of the late Wittgenstein, and understands the activity of philosophy as analogous to grammar. What is glossed over by Enlightenment epistemology is the human subject's involvement in any act of belief. Rather than seeing human subjectivity as a hindrance to the pursuit of truth, Kierkegaard
Penner, Myron B.
Kierkegaard's post-Enlightenment subject : the grammar and goal of belief. Soren Kierkegaard's thesis, ~Truth is Subjectivity~, is presented in <i>Concluding Unscientific Postscript to Philosophical Fragments</i>, as the central philosophical concept of his pseudonymous authorship. Contrary to most readings, it is argued here that Kierkegaard's subjectivity principle is epistemologically normative, not for ethical and religious beliefs only, but for a wider, general epistemology as well. The significance of Kierkegaard's claim that truth is subjectivity is that Kierkegaard is recasting epistemological issues in theological and ethical terms. Part One argues that Kierkegaard formulates his subjectivity principle as a response to the Enlightenment epistemologies, specifically of Kant and Hegel, and more generally Descartes, that seek to ground epistemology infallibly in the metaphysical resources of human rationality. Kierkegaard limits the scope of reason and philosophy in a manner that is reminiscent of the late Wittgenstein, and understands the activity of philosophy as analogous to grammar. What is glossed over by Enlightenment epistemology is the human subject's involvement in any act of belief. Rather than seeing human subjectivity as a hindrance to the pursuit of truth, Kierkegaard
kierkegaard post enlightenment subject grammar goal belief kierkegaard truth subjectivity present philosophical central philosophical concept pseudonymous authorship contrary reading argue kierkegaard subjectivity principle epistemologically normative ethical religious_belief wider general epistemology well significance kierkegaard claim truth subjectivity kierkegaard recast epistemological issue theological ethical term part_one argue kierkegaard formulate subjectivity principle response enlightenment epistemology specifically kant_hegel generally descartes seek ground epistemology metaphysical resource human rationality kierkegaard limit_scope reason philosophy manner late wittgenstein understand activity philosophy analogous grammar gloss enlightenment epistemology human subject involvement act belief rather see human subjectivity pursuit truth kierkegaard