Kierkegaardian and Hegelian philosophy quiz

1. Kierkegaard invites his readers to compare all of the follow but which one?

The aesthete

The ethicist

The Christian

The agnostic

Kierkegaard invites his readers to compare all of the options listed, except for the agnostic. The question is asking for the one option that is not included in the invitation to comparison.

Explanation

Kierkegaard invites his readers to compare all of the options listed, except for the agnostic. The question is asking for the one option that is not included in the invitation to comparison.

2. Which of these statements best summarizes the ideas of Kierkegaard versus other philosophers before him?

Truth is to be found in subjectivity rather than objectivity

From nothing comes nothing

Freedom is one’s ability to act according to his own will

Knowledge is limited to the realm of possible experience

Kierkegaard's ideas differed from other philosophers before him in that he believed that truth is to be found in subjectivity rather than objectivity. This means that he emphasized the importance of personal experience, individual perspective, and subjective interpretation in understanding truth, rather than relying solely on objective facts and external observations. Kierkegaard believed that truth is a deeply personal and subjective matter that cannot be fully understood or grasped through objective analysis alone.

Explanation

Kierkegaard's ideas differed from other philosophers before him in that he believed that truth is to be found in subjectivity rather than objectivity. This means that he emphasized the importance of personal experience, individual perspective, and subjective interpretation in understanding truth, rather than relying solely on objective facts and external observations. Kierkegaard believed that truth is a deeply personal and subjective matter that cannot be fully understood or grasped through objective analysis alone.

3. Which of the following is NOT one of the reasons that Kierkegaard had his works written pseudonymously?

To express certain possibilities for managing the problem of having to exist as a human being

So that his pseudonymous authors can present themselves to the reader as selves in the process of self-creation

He hoped to represent different views through various authors

He felt that by representing different viewpoints through his writings he would avoid the problem of being too abstract

491.4 [The authorship]

Explanation

491.4 [The authorship]

4. In becoming a "Knight of Faith" according to Kierkegaard, one:

Is satisfied only by the infinite.

Finds themselves poor in all aspects of life.

Accepts all and is equally satisfied with the finite and the infinite.

Puts on the whole armor of God.

According to Kierkegaard, a "Knight of Faith" is someone who accepts all aspects of life and finds equal satisfaction in both the finite and the infinite. This means that they are not solely focused on the infinite or spiritual realm, but also appreciate and find contentment in the finite or material aspects of life. They are able to embrace and be satisfied with both realms, demonstrating a deep acceptance and understanding of the complexities of existence.

Explanation

According to Kierkegaard, a "Knight of Faith" is someone who accepts all aspects of life and finds equal satisfaction in both the finite and the infinite. This means that they are not solely focused on the infinite or spiritual realm, but also appreciate and find contentment in the finite or material aspects of life. They are able to embrace and be satisfied with both realms, demonstrating a deep acceptance and understanding of the complexities of existence.

5. What does Kierkegaard describe as the essence of despair?

Other people or circumstances acting upon you, making you unable to act for yourself.

Self loathing to the point of wanting to be anyone else

Society viewing you badly.

Introspective pensiveness that causes you to change the way you act.

503.9 [My wife]

Explanation

503.9 [My wife]

6. Kierkegaard describes despair as all of the following except:

Not being willing to be oneself

Trying to make yourself be something specific

Doing what is expected of you by others

Transparently grounding yourself in the power that established it

Kierkegaard describes despair as not being willing to be oneself, trying to make yourself be something specific, and doing what is expected of you by others. However, he does not describe despair as transparently grounding yourself in the power that established it.

Explanation

Kierkegaard describes despair as not being willing to be oneself, trying to make yourself be something specific, and doing what is expected of you by others. However, he does not describe despair as transparently grounding yourself in the power that established it.

7. Why did Kierkegaard develop the technique of "indirect communication," in which he wrote differing points of view under various pseudonyms?

To hide his identity as an author (author’s in those days were often executed for their revolutionary ideas).

To vary the audiences that he appealed to (if someone didn’t like a certain work of his, perhaps they would like a different one and not be biased because it was under a different name).

Kierkegaard believed that most of us live in varying forms and degrees of self-deception.

His motives and viewpoints changed throughout his life (every time there was a significant change, he would use a different name).

Kierkegaard developed the technique of "indirect communication" because he believed that most of us live in varying forms and degrees of self-deception. By writing differing points of view under various pseudonyms, he aimed to challenge and expose these self-deceptions in his readers. This technique allowed him to present different perspectives and provoke critical thinking without directly revealing his own identity or personal biases.

Explanation

Kierkegaard developed the technique of "indirect communication" because he believed that most of us live in varying forms and degrees of self-deception. By writing differing points of view under various pseudonyms, he aimed to challenge and expose these self-deceptions in his readers. This technique allowed him to present different perspectives and provoke critical thinking without directly revealing his own identity or personal biases.

8. Which of the following statements about the relationship of Kierkegaardian and Hegelian philosophy is false?

Kierkegaard fundamentally disagrees with Hegel’s philosophy of “thesis, antithesis, and synthesis”

Kierkegaard states that there is no such thing as “absolute knowledge,” as Hegel had postulated.

Kierkegaard states, as Hegel did, that the process of living well can be organized in an objective and rational way.

Kierkegaard argues against the Hegelian tradition that it is possible to “understand” faith.

Kierkegaard argues against the Hegelian tradition that it is possible to "understand" faith. This means that Kierkegaard believes that faith is not something that can be fully comprehended or explained through rational understanding. Unlike Hegel, who believed that the process of living well can be organized in an objective and rational way, Kierkegaard emphasizes the subjective and personal nature of faith. He disagrees with Hegel's idea of "absolute knowledge," asserting that there is no such thing. Kierkegaard also rejects Hegel's philosophy of "thesis, antithesis, and synthesis," which suggests a dialectical process of arriving at truth.

Explanation

Kierkegaard argues against the Hegelian tradition that it is possible to "understand" faith. This means that Kierkegaard believes that faith is not something that can be fully comprehended or explained through rational understanding. Unlike Hegel, who believed that the process of living well can be organized in an objective and rational way, Kierkegaard emphasizes the subjective and personal nature of faith. He disagrees with Hegel's idea of "absolute knowledge," asserting that there is no such thing. Kierkegaard also rejects Hegel's philosophy of "thesis, antithesis, and synthesis," which suggests a dialectical process of arriving at truth.

Kierkegaardian And Hegelian Philosophy Quiz