Synopsis:
- Hegel's metaphysical program is impossible because the philosopher cannot be a detached, objective, external observer: the philosopher is someone who exists and is part of what is observed (an "existing subjective thinker")
- The very reason that we are interested in philosophy (in understanding our existence) is because we exist
- Existence is both the thinker's object and condition
- The truth that matters is the pathos of existing, not the truth of Logic
- Logic is defined by necessity, but existence is dominated by possibility
- Necessity is a feature of being, possibility is a feature of becoming
- Existence is choice
- Possibility (choice) causes angst
- There are no universal, objective standards to decide one's behavior: the choice is subjective
- Each possible existence cannot be described, it can only be lived
- Communication: a contradiction in terms because the message is deformed by the experience of the messenger
- Christianity is a communication of existence (what it is to exist)
- The Christian God is an "absolute paradox" , "something that thought cannot think", which requires a leap of faith
- "Man is a synthesis of the infinite and the finite"
- Each individual struggles to maintain that synthesis/unity, and the struggle causes unhappiness ("man is not yet a self")
- Stages of life
- Untruth (aesthetic stage): the individual lives immediately (in the moment)
- Ethical stage: the individual lives according to principles (family, society, etc)
- In the truth (religious stage): the individual lives according to faith in God
- The only possible interpretation of Kierkegaard's philosophy is the different styles of his works (not the contents)
- Aut-aut: aesthetic being (whose life is paralyzed by multiple possibilities/choices) and ethic being (whose life is committed to one possibility/choice)
- The anguish of Abraham: is it really an angel, and am I really Abraham? What proof do I have?
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