Teleological Suspension Of The Ethical

5 Pages 1370 Words

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...