Paper
A clear understanding of what Soren Kierkegaard (1813-1855) meant by the
`suspension of the ethical’ can be achieved upon careful study of his wider
philosophies on stages or aspects of an individual’s life. In this short text I
will examine these philosophies, exploring what Kierkegaard meant by each one.
I’ll then put into context these stages of life by looking at them in relation
to that which Kierkegaard’s text `Fear and Trembling’ (in which he introduces
the concept of a teleological suspension of the ethical) is based on: that being
the biblical story of Abraham and Isaac. Finally, I’ll examine the problems of
his theory and explore some of the presumptions and pre-requisites it
necessitates.
Firstly I find it necessary to understand the context in which Kierkegaard wrote
and believed the philosophies we now explore. Kierkegaard’s writings were not
without a purpose or agenda. His own life was the source by which he details his
wider more abstract theories on life in general. He is intrinsically linked to
the Christian faith, and he writes with that in the forefront of his mind.
Indeed, `Fear and Trembling’ itself is based upon a passage of scripture which
Kierkegaard examines and bases his points upon. The point Kierkegaard is making
ultimately is that he believes that the `religious’ stage of life (one of three
he feels he has discovered) is the one that means the most and should be
desired. Kierkegaard identifies an existential progression between these stages
which is, on initial study, contradicted by the passage of scripture he tackles.
It is by examining these stages that the answer to the question set can be
revealed.
The first of these stages is the aesthetic. For Kierkegaard, this is the lowest
form of being. For a particular human being to lead an aesthetic existence would
require him to indulge purely in sensuous pleasures. The implication in the
aesthetic is that only the external provides value. However, Kierkegaard’s
suggestion is that this level of being lacks anything outside of itself. Its
value, he submits, is void of meaning and direction and those who inhabit this
existence simply pass from one meaningless gratification of the senses to the
next with no real purpose.
There is, according to Kierkegaard, a progression of sorts to a higher stage of
life. A transition to a level being in which the particular is subsumed, that is
transported and incorporated by, the next in the level of existence, the
ethical. At this stage, an individual is living in accordance with what he
describes as the `universal good’ and in this the ethical is senseless. What I
mean by that is that the ethical requires the abdication of the individual in
accordance with the universal good. Yet the ethical cannot exist without the
individual to give it form. The individual turns inward and considers the aim of
life in respect to himself. In one sense it empowers the aesthetic with value
and meaning, thus the gratification of the senses can become the appreciation of
beauty. However, Kierkegaard regards the religious stage of life not only to be
the highest, but also imperative in giving the ethical meaning and direction.
By `religious life’ Kierkegaard is referring to the encountering and acceptance
of his, the Christian, God. It isn’t clear if the `religious’ is confined only
to his God, or whether differing personal beliefs have a place within
Kierkegaard’s definition of this level of being. The `religious’ makes sense of
the ethical, according to Kierkegaard. Apparently inferring that doing good for
the sake of good is meaningless and closer to an egoistic sense of aesthetic
gratification then meaningful existence, Kierkegaard looks to the religious to
give life direction and telos, that is purpose.
For the benefit of `Fear and Trembling’, Abraham is this `religious’ man. In the
biblical story, Abraham is required by God to premeditate the sacrifice of his
son as a sign of his faith to God. This presents Kierkegaard with a problem, as
although the `religious’ life is a distinct and separate level of being from the
`ethical’, the transition is a subsumption. That is, the religious provides the
ethical with an additional depth rather then a complete reversal of values. It
appears that there is a contradiction here, as in what is universally good (that
being, in this case, not killing your own child) is abandoned by the very
religion or God that provides it with meaning and purpose.
To provide for this contradiction, Kierkegaard identifies the telos of God. In
this situation, God requires a sign from Abraham that he is faithful to him.
That is God’s purpose in asking this of Abraham. The ethical, far from being
removed from Kierkegaard’s equation, is merely suspended so that the purpose;
the end result; the telos of God, can be achieved. This is what Kierkegaard
means when he refers to the `teleological suspension of the ethical’.
There are a number of problems with this though. The first is the apparently
complete distinction between the `religious’ and `morality’. The nature of the
goodness of God can surely be called into question if a teleological suspension
of what is morally good is required, even for just a fraction of time, in order
to follow the will of God. Further more, if God’s purpose involves a suspension
of the universal good, then Kierkegaard’s theories seriously falter. For how can
the ethical be defined, as Kierkegaard defines it, as an alignment with the
universal good, if that good can be suspended on account of a `higher good’,
that is the telos of God? Is Kierkegaard suggesting that there are two levels of
good, perhaps, and that when one reaches the `religious’ it is on occasion
necessary to act in accordance with the higher good and deny the good by which
those living by the `ethical’ live their lives? Kierkegaard seems short on
answers when one considers the inevitable confrontation between these to
conflicting sources of `goodness’, which lead to an apparent potential
contradiction of the `highest good’ which Kierkegaard has identified.
Of course, in the example of Abraham and Isaac, the suspension of the ethical
for the purposes of the religious did not result in this conflict between
goodness (discounting the premeditation involved in the mind of Abraham) for God
stopped Abraham before he ended his child’s life. Therefore in this case the
implication is that the telos of God was to observe a demonstration of obedience
in Abraham and not to kill Isaac. However in the very suspension of the ethical,
God contradicts himself and the philosophy of Kierkegaard in this respect
requires further explanation. For God must be the constant in order for the
stages of life to work. It is impossible for God to override himself yet that is
apparently what has happened here – God has contradicted himself in order for
his purposes to be fulfilled.
The only way God could not have contradicted himself is if there was no
suspension of the ethical, which is a real possibility. For if it was not a
command of God to Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, and it was merely a test of
Abraham’s faithfulness, then God did not override his own commands and nature,
as there was no commandment that Isaac should die. In this sense, in as much as
there was no command, there was also no suspension of the ethical.
In conclusion, to suggest that there is any kind of suspension of the ethical,
in as far as Kierkegaard describes the ethical, is to deny the very notion of
the religious and its place within leading a good life. For the ethical is the
attunement of life to the universal good. And for God to suspend this good in
order to fulfil a purpose which by logic would not include the good it usually
would is to deny the very notion that this good was truly `good’ in the first
place. The idea that God would use the unethical – put into action a sequence of
events that is contrary to the universal good – to appropriate his purpose not
only calls into question the value of God, or of the universal good, but also
leads to misinterpretations of God whose manifestations are violence and wars.
The only reasonable explanation, if God is to be upheld and Kierkegaard’s
philosophies are to be believed, is that there was no suspension of the ethical
at all; that God remained consistent and his suggestion to Abraham that he kill
his own son was a test of Abraham’s obedience and nothing more. Further
questions regarding the morality of a God that would use such apparently hideous
ways to `test’ his worshipers also lead us to call into question the `good’ that
one empowers this figure with, all leading to the conclusion I make the these
stages Kierkegaard present us with, in connection with this passage of
Scripture, require further attention.
Другие работы по теме:
Suspension Of Disbelief Essay Research Paper Suspension
Suspension Of Disbelief Essay, Research Paper Suspension of Disbelief An author can encourage us to suspend our disbelief or purposely discourage us to do so. A good example would be the way an author describes something to us. For example, if an author vividly describes an event, a setting, or a character this would be effective in suspending the reader s disbelief.
Cryonics Essay Research Paper CryonicsWhat is cryonics
Cryonics Essay, Research Paper Cryonics What is cryonics? If you ask that question to most people, they would not have a clue. Cryonics is not very popular yet, but interest in cryonics has increased since the process was pioneered in 1967 by James H. Bedford.
Pilot
’s Wife, By Anita Shreve Essay, Research Paper In the past years, one of my favorite books was The Pilot’s Wife, by Anita Shreve. It has action, suspension, and mystery. It has my vote for a great book for two reasons. First, it has the type of mystery
Dirt Bikes Versus Street Bikes Essay Research
Paper Comparison between Dirt bikes and Street bikes Most people believe street bikes are very similar to dirt bikes. I am here however to clear up that false conclusion. One major factor is even in the name. Dirt bikes are for
Aristotle On Ethics Essay Research Paper 1
Aristotle On Ethics Essay, Research Paper 1) Explain fully Aristotle?s approach to Ethics. What is the goal of the ethical life? What type of soul is capable of realizing the good life? How do we
Was Milgram Ethical In His Obedience Studies
? Essay, Research Paper Was Milgram Ethical in his Obedience Studies? When trying to determine weather or not Stanley Milgram?s experiment on obedience vs. destructive obedience is ethical you need to know two things: One, determine a set of ethical means that Milgram must follow, in this case they were already laid out.
Hedonism Essay Research Paper Philosophers commonly distinguish
Hedonism Essay, Research Paper Philosophers commonly distinguish between psychological hedonism and ethical hedonism. Psychological hedonism is the view that humans are psychologically constructed in such a way that we exclusively desire pleasure. Ethical hedonism is the view that our fundamental moral obligation is to maximize pleasure or happiness.
Bribery Is Bribery Ever Justified Essay Research
Paper CONCLUSION In conclusion bribery is not an issue that can be answered immediately at hand considering the type of situations that regulate its ethical character. We need to remeber that bribery is a constant ethical issue. And becuase briberyare only sometimes acceptable it is in a moral free space.
Ethics Essay Research Paper Ethics 1 are
Ethics Essay, Research Paper Ethics (1) are an individual?s personal beliefs about what constitutes right and wrong behavior. Important areas of ethical concern for managers are how the organization treats its employees, how the employees treat the organization, and how the organization and its employees treat other economic agents.
Foreign Bribary Essay Research Paper Since moral
Foreign Bribary Essay, Research Paper Since moral standards vary across cultures, firms that develop in global markets have to face more complex ethical issues than if they just made business in one country and one culture. Laws and customs in one country don’t necessarily agree with the laws and customs from another country and that is what makes the international business system so complex.
Does Goe Exist Essay Research Paper Does
Does Goe Exist Essay, Research Paper Does God exist? Theology, cosmological, teleological and ontological arguments are all have ways to prove the existence of God. With all of these great arguments how can one
CS Lewis The Abolition Of Man
Essay, Research Paper C.S. The Abolition of Man While reading The Abolition of Man by C.S. Lewis, I encountered a few questions concerning his view on Ethical Innovation and the dilemma conditioners face. It was a difficult book with many ideas that didn t come completely clear to me at times.
Metaphysis Essay Research Paper Hello I
Metaphysis Essay, Research Paper : Hello: : I need help, I have somes question would help me. 1. do the criticisms that hume makes of Design Arguments all apply to Thomas’ Teleological Argument?
Cheating Essay Research Paper Students of all
Cheating Essay, Research Paper Students of all ages have been caught cheating. Recent news reports that cheating among students has risen to ?epidemic proportions?. Cheating is a contagious behavior that can be corrected through home, school, and national levels of intervention.
Ethics In Criminal Justice
– Forgiveness Essay, Research Paper Ethics in Criminal Justice Forgiveness The issue to be discussed concerns the act of forgiving. Forgiveness can be shown in many different ways. The degree of forgiveness depends on one?s personal beliefs. There are many ethical systems that one can apply forgiveness to.
Ethical Dilemna Essay Research Paper Jim PolakGroup
Ethical Dilemna Essay, Research Paper Jim Polak Group #3 Ethical Problem 4/1/96 During my high school years, I had to make many decisions. Some of these decisions came easily to me, like what clothes to wear to school. Some of them took more thought, like what classes I should take during the upcoming semester.
The Street Lawyer Essay Research Paper Plot
The Street Lawyer Essay, Research Paper Plot outline The main character in this book is Michael Brock, a lawyer working for Drake & Sweeney. One day a homeless man comes into the firm and holds Michael and other lawyers hostage. Michael and the lawyers manage to get out of the situation but the homeless man gets killed.
Ethical Obligations Essay Research Paper I believe
Ethical Obligations Essay, Research Paper I believe that the ethical rules of everyday life, should be applied to everything in life. The exceptions to this however, are the games where rules specifically contradict today?s ethical code, and are mutually understood, and agreed upon by all participants.
Bridge Structures Essay Research Paper Bridge Structures
Bridge Structures Essay, Research Paper Bridge Structures and The Use of Geometry in Their Design What is a bridge? A bridge is a structure providing continuous passage over a body of water, roadway, or valley. Every bridge looks different from the another. Their bridge structure is different. There are nine types of main bridges.
MetaEthical Position Essay Research Paper My
?Meta-Ethical? Position Essay, Research Paper My ‘Meta-ethical’ Position When asked the question “Are there any ethical truths?” I respond with a resounding “Yes” and when asked “What makes the ethical truths true?” I respond “Facts independent of anyone’s say-so”. That makes me an ethical realist. I reject all forms of conventionalism and also subjectivism.
Decision Making Essay Research Paper Any decisionaffecting
Decision Making Essay, Research Paper Any decision-affecting people has ethical ramifications and virtually all-important decisions reflect the decision-maker s mindfulness and resolution to ethical behavior. This is why it is important to know for yourself how you go about making ethical decisions, or making decisions of any kind.
Business Ethics Essay Research Paper Rewards for
Business Ethics Essay, Research Paper Rewards for “Good” Business Ethics Business ethics can be viewed as the principles and standards that guide behavior in the world of business. Especially in today’s society, understanding and practicing the concepts of ethics is a key factor that many organizations stress among employees.
Ethical Relativism Essay Research Paper Ethical RelativismCannibalism
Ethical Relativism Essay, Research Paper Ethical Relativism Cannibalism, what do you think of it? Is it morally correct? Does the theory of ethical relativism support it or does it knock it down? Throughout this paper I am going to evaluate the pros and cons of ethical relativism for a case concerning cannibalism.
Is Euthanasia Ethical Essay Research Paper Is
Is Euthanasia Ethical Essay, Research Paper Is Euthanasia Ethical? Euthanasia Comes from the Greek word meaning the good death. It is defined as The act or practicing the end of life of an individual suffering from a terminal illness or an incurable condition, as by lethal injection or the suspension of extraordinary medical treatment.
Business Essay Research Paper Business World TodayMy
Business Essay, Research Paper Business World Today My thoughts on the business world today are good and bad. I also think it depends on the person and the morals, or ethics they have. The study and evaluation of decision making by businesses according to moral concepts and judgments. Ethical questions range from practical, narrowly defined issues, such as a company s obligation to be honest with its customers, to broader social and philosophical questions, such as a company s responsibility to preserve the environment and protect employee rights.
Education The Law And Discipline Essay Research
Paper Michael Weiland November 23, 1999 V. Nichols Education, the Law, and Discipline Discipline is a touchy subject in education. Educators must respect the legal rights of citizens as protected by the Constitution of the United States, Judicial decisions, and State and local Laws. In particular, students who have been identified with disabilities are protected by one of several pieces of legislation at the Federal level.