ESAA01 Kierkegaard in an Aristotelic Key

Faculty of Arts
Autumn 2005
Extent and Intensity
1/1. 2 credit(s). Recommended Type of Completion: k (colloquium). Other types of completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
prof. PhDr. Petr Osolsobě, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
prof. PhDr. Petr Osolsobě, Ph.D.
Department of Aesthetics – Faculty of Arts
Contact Person: Mgr. Kristýna Celhofferová, Ph.D.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
Soren Aabye Kierkegaard (1813-1855) a key-role is played by concepts derived from Aristotle. Kierkegaard himself is one of the most important modern thinkers whose influence on philosophy, literature and psychology of art cannot be overestimated.
Syllabus
  • In the philosophy of Soren Aabye Kierkegaard (1813-1855) a key-role is played by concepts derived from Aristotles conception of movement kínesis (Physics III). Kierkegaard concentrates primarily on the first of the two types of movement: the passage from potentiality to reality, or the realisation of potentiality (becoming, Tilblivelse). The principle of this activity is, for Aristotle, nature in the widest sense: for Kierkegaard it is man consciously striving for and realising a certain télos. The connection that binds the whole of individual human decisions is called Existents by Kierkegaard and he understands the acts of decision-making as a measure (metrón) of life movement in view of the fact that it is unmoving. Life movement is, therefore, not continuous, but characterised by jumps, or desultory. Kierkegaard goes on to draw on Aristotles doctrine of intentional choice (proaíresis), for which it is necessary to have not only correct opinion but also free abilities. The limit of practical deliberation is decision in Kierkegaard the halting of virtually infinite reflection and action. Kierkegaard adopts the concept of the unmoved Mover from Metaphysics XII everything else has come into existence by the movement of the realisation of potentiality. This movement is not necessary what has happened did not have to ever happen. From Metaphysics IV Kierkegaard repeatedly cites Aristotles critique of the two extreme views about the reality of movement (of the Heracliteans and Eleatics). Movement is hard to understand (Physics 201b) because it cannot be categorised under any genus. In the same way Kierkegaard in his Philosophical Fragments (Samlede Vaerker, VI, p. 74) speaks of the illusion of origination (Svigagtighed) and of the difficulties in understanding previous events which, because of their present immutability, appear to be necessary. The tool for understanding the unconditionality of the movement of realisation is wonder and trust (Tro) because immediate sense-perception does not allow us to register any change in being, nor does it exist for abstract reflection (in logical space there is no beginning or ending). The movement of existence cannot be demonstrated, but it is still acknowledged by us. For this cognitive act Kierkegaard uses the term leap (Springet), which he most probably took from the conversations between Lessing and Jacobi to which he refers in this connection. The basic Aristotelian characteristics of Kierkegaards philosophy remain the teleological understanding of human existence and the principles of identity, contradiction and excluded-middle. These onto-logical principles, which he repeatedly appeals to especially in the polemic against Hegel and his followers, are a reliable indication of the fact that he remained in the field of critical philosophy even as a poet and theologian, and they also allow us make a true estimation of how deep are the philosophical findings of those who often like to invoke Kierkegaard.
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Information on completion of the course: Obecné podmínky ukončování kursů Semináře estetiky
The course can also be completed outside the examination period.
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught: every week.
General note: Obecné podmínky ukončování kursů Semináře estetiky.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2006, Autumn 2007, Autumn 2008.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2005, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/phil/autumn2005/ESAA01