Kierkegaard's contribution to the philosophy of history
Kierkegaard is well known as a witty writer mainly occupied with Christianity. In this thesis however, Kierkegaard is depicted as a philosopher who can provide us with some new and authentic ideas about the nature of history. Kierkegaardâs approach to the problem of history is compared with Hegelâs philosophy of history and Heideggerâs view of history. Hegelâs philosophy of history is examined and analysed first and the conclusion is that we can clearly detect two main Hegelian assertions regarding history: first that reason is the main historical agent and second that human beings can fully know their past history. Kierkegaardâs arguments follow a totally different approach from that of Hegelâs. Kierkegaard argues that we cannot fully know our past history and that the crucial element in history is to decide about our future history instead of simply trying to understand our past history. It is also argued that Kierkegaard constructs human self in such a way that human beings must simultaneously create themselves and history by making decisions regarding their present and their future. It is further argued that neither Hegel nor Kierkegaard can, on their own, provide us with a total and full picture
Patios, Georgios
B Philosophy (General)
Kierkegaard's contribution to the philosophy of history. Kierkegaard is well known as a witty writer mainly occupied with Christianity. In this thesis however, Kierkegaard is depicted as a philosopher who can provide us with some new and authentic ideas about the nature of history. Kierkegaardâs approach to the problem of history is compared with Hegelâs philosophy of history and Heideggerâs view of history. Hegelâs philosophy of history is examined and analysed first and the conclusion is that we can clearly detect two main Hegelian assertions regarding history: first that reason is the main historical agent and second that human beings can fully know their past history. Kierkegaardâs arguments follow a totally different approach from that of Hegelâs. Kierkegaard argues that we cannot fully know our past history and that the crucial element in history is to decide about our future history instead of simply trying to understand our past history. It is also argued that Kierkegaard constructs human self in such a way that human beings must simultaneously create themselves and history by making decisions regarding their present and their future. It is further argued that neither Hegel nor Kierkegaard can, on their own, provide us with a total and full picture
kierkegaard philosophy_history kierkegaard well_know writer mainly occupy christianity however kierkegaard depict philosopher provide_new authentic idea nature history kierkegaard problem history compare hegel_philosophy history heidegger view history hegel_philosophy history examine analyse first conclusion clearly detect two_main hegelian assertion regard history first reason main historical agent second human_being fully know past history kierkegaard argument follow totally different hegel kierkegaard argue fully know past history crucial_element history decide future history instead simply try past history also_argue kierkegaard construct human self way human_being must simultaneously create history make_decision regard present_future argue_neither hegel kierkegaard provide total full picture