Fear and Trembling: Kierkegaard on Faith and Anxiety

Fear and Trembling: An Exploration of Faith

Overview of Kierkegaard's Approach

• "Fear and Trembling" is authored by Søren Kierkegaard under the pseudonym Johannes de silentio, emphasizing his use of multiple pseudonyms to encourage readers to draw their own conclusions.

• The book features a lyrical first part and a dialectical second part, where ideas are discussed through thesis-antithesis-synthesis dynamics.

The Story of Abraham and Isaac

• Kierkegaard uses the biblical narrative of Abraham sacrificing Isaac to explore profound questions about faith and anxiety rather than focusing solely on the story itself.

• Four scenarios illustrate different interpretations of Abraham's actions, highlighting his complex emotional state during God's command.

Understanding Abraham's Faith

• Johannes praises Abraham for his love for God, his expectation of the impossible, and his struggle with divine commands, establishing him as the "father of faith."

• The second part introduces "problemata," prefaced by a heartfelt reflection that transitions into a dialectical discussion.

Concepts of Anxiety and Freedom

• Kierkegaard coins "angst" to describe the dizzying awareness associated with freedom and choice, which leads to anxiety regarding ethical obligations.

• He contrasts ethical behavior (attempting to murder Isaac) with religious expression (believing in God's promise), illustrating the complexity of faith.

Stages on Life’s Way

• Kierkegaard identifies three life stages: aesthetic (sensory experience), ethical (universal good), and religious (absolute relationship with God).

• He argues that true faith transcends ethical considerations, asserting that “faith begins precisely where thinking leaves off.”

Critique of Contemporary Faith

• Kierkegaard critiques Christendom for cheapening the concept of faith; he admits he struggles to emulate Abraham despite understanding philosophical complexities like Hegel’s thought.

Knights: Resignation vs. Faith

• Two key figures emerge: the knight of infinite resignation who renounces cherished beliefs versus the knight of faith who believes in divine possibilities despite human impossibilities.

• The knight of faith embodies complete trust in God while reconciling loss through spiritual means, demonstrating how absurdity can lead back to fulfillment.

The Double Movement of Faith

The Concept of Infinite Resignation and Faith

• Abraham exemplifies the double movement of faith by first making an infinite resignation when he prepares to sacrifice Isaac, followed by a movement of faith as he regains him, leading to a more joyful reception than before.

• Johannes notes that while knights of faith are indistinguishable from ordinary people, they perform the movement of infinity at every step, unlike the knight of infinite resignation who may appear graceful but lands awkwardly.

The Teleological Suspension of the Ethical

• The first problemata questions whether there is a teleological suspension of the ethical; Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac suggests a higher moral authority beyond universal ethics.

• This suspension implies that ethical considerations become secondary to a greater purpose or telos found in religious belief.

Ethical Duty and Its Implications

• "Fear and Trembling" posits that religion transcends ethics, though this conclusion remains subjective for readers.

• Johannes argues against Kant and Hegel’s view that there is no absolute duty to God, asserting instead that all duties ultimately relate back to God as the universal.

The Nature of Faith and Individuality

• Johannes introduces three figures: tragic hero (submits to universal), aesthetic hero (takes on secrecy), and knight of faith (isolated from universality yet intimately connected with God).

• The knight of faith experiences constant temptation and tests his relationship with God through personal struggle rather than societal norms.

Disclosure vs. Hiddenness in Ethical Actions

• The third problemata examines whether Abraham's lack of disclosure about his intentions was ethically defensible; his actions stemmed from individual conviction rather than societal expectations.

Passion in Relation to Faith

• In the epilogue, Johannes emphasizes that life's challenges cannot be resolved merely through new consciousness forms; true passion—especially regarding faith—must be personally experienced.