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Søren Kierkegaard - Subjectivity, Irony and the Crisis of Modernity

Jon Stewart, PhD, Dr theol & phil

4.8

Based on 722 ratings

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Jon Stewart, PhD, Dr theol & phil

It is often claimed that relativism, subjectivism and nihilism are typically modern philosophical problems that emerge with the breakdown of traditional values, customs and ways of life. The result is the absence of meaning, the lapse of religious faith, and feeling of alienation that is so widespread in modernity.

The Danish thinker Søren Kierkegaard (1813-55) gave one of the most penetrating analyses of this complex phenomenon of modernity. But somewhat surprisingly he seeks insight into it not in any modern thinker but rather in an ancient one, the Greek philosopher Socrates.

In this course created by former associate professor at the Søren Kierkegaard Research Centre, Jon Stewart, we will explore how Kierkegaard deals with the problems associated with relativism, the lack of meaning and the undermining of religious faith that are typical of modern life. His penetrating analyses are still highly relevant today and have been seen as insightful for the leading figures of Existentialism, Post-Structuralism and Post-Modernism.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Course Introduction: The Life and Work of Kierkegaard as a "Socratic Task"

In this first unit, the basic premise of the class is presented, namely, the idea that Kierkegaard used Socrates as his model. The lecture begins by taking a brief look at Kierkegaard’s early life: his family background and his education at the School of Civic Virtue in Copenhagen. We then turn to The Concept of Irony and to understand its structure and argumentative strategy. Since Kierkegaard sees himself as fulfilling a Socratic task, it is important to gain some insight into the thought of Socrates in order to determine exactly what it is that this means. So this week’s lesson looks briefly at a couple of Plato’s dialogues, Euthyphro and The Apology, which Kierkegaard studied carefully. After each analysis a brief account of Kierkegaard’s use or appropriation of the given idea is sketched.

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Examines philosophical problems associated with the breakdown of traditional values, customs, and ways of life

Explores the work of Søren Kierkegaard, who saw Socrates as an example of a philosopher who dealt with these problems

Provides a detailed analysis of Kierkegaard's early life and the development of his thought

Taught by Jon Stewart, a former associate professor at the Søren Kierkegaard Research Centre

Relevant for Existentialism, Post-Structuralism, and Post-Modernism, which are influential philosophical movements

Requires an interest in philosophy, particularly in modern philosophy and the work of Søren Kierkegaard

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Reviews summary

Kierkegaard, socrates, and modernity examined

According to learners, this course provides a transformative and highly insightful exploration of Søren Kierkegaard, focusing uniquely on his engagement with Socrates and the crisis of modernity. Students praise Professor Jon Stewart as an exceptional and incredibly knowledgeable lecturer who is a masterful guide through complex ideas. While the material is acknowledged as challenging and demanding significant effort, requiring heavy and essential readings and sometimes dense lectures, reviewers consistently find the experience rewarding and describe the course as providing a great foundation and being essential for understanding Kierkegaard.

Required readings are critical, heavy, and demand focus.

"Required readings are heavy but worth it."

"The readings were challenging but essential."

"readings themselves are critical but demanding."

"Hard to follow without having done the readings beforehand."

Provides a strong basis for further exploration of Kierkegaard.

"Provides a great foundation for tackling his later works."

"Essential for understanding Kierkegaard."

Explores Kierkegaard through his Socratic task and relation to modernity.

"The connection to Socrates and Hegel was fascinating and really well done."

"The way he weaves together Kierkegaard, Socrates, and Hegel is insightful."

"focus on The Concept of Irony and its Socratic background is unique and incredibly valuable."

The material demands effort but offers immense intellectual rewards.

"It's not an easy course, requires serious engagement with the material, but the reward is immense."

"material is challenging but presented in a way that is accessible if you put the work in."

"A good course, but be prepared to put in significant effort."

"The course was challenging but rewarding for my understanding..."

Professor Stewart's knowledge and clarity are highly praised.

"Jon Stewart is an exceptional lecturer, incredibly knowledgeable and clear in explaining complex ideas like irony and subjectivity."

"Professor Stewart is a masterful guide."

"Outstanding course! Professor Stewart's expertise shines through."

"Content is interesting, and the professor knows his stuff."

Lectures can be dense or feel rushed sometimes, requiring rewatching.

"lectures are dense at times, and I had to rewatch some sections."

"lectures can be a bit dry, and the pace felt rushed in some parts."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Søren Kierkegaard - Subjectivity, Irony and the Crisis of Modernity with these activities:

Review Greek Philosophy

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Brush up on the basics of Greek philosophy to provide a solid foundation for understanding Kierkegaard's analysis of Socrates.

Browse courses on Greek Philosophy

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Read introductory texts or articles on Greek philosophy.
Review the works of key philosophers such as Plato, Aristotle, and Socrates.

Create a Mind Map of Kierkegaard's Key Concepts

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Solidify your understanding of Kierkegaard's complex philosophical concepts by creating a visual representation of their relationships.

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Identify and list the key concepts discussed in the course materials.
Draw connections between the concepts to show their interrelationships.

Read 'Fear and Trembling' by Søren Kierkegaard

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Engage with Kierkegaard's analysis of faith and the nature of the absurd through his influential work, 'Fear and Trembling'.

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Read the book thoroughly and pay attention to Kierkegaard's arguments.
Identify and analyze the key concepts and themes presented in the book.

Four other activities

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Show all seven activities

Contribute to a Kierkegaard-Inspired Online Forum

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Engage with a community of Kierkegaard enthusiasts, share insights, and expand your understanding of his philosophy through online discussions.

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Join an online forum dedicated to the study of Kierkegaard's work.
Participate in discussions, ask questions, and share your perspectives.

Compare and contrast Kierkegaard's Views with Existentialist Philosophers

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Enhance your understanding of Kierkegaard's philosophical contributions by comparing and contrasting his ideas with those of other influential existentialist philosophers.

Browse courses on Existentialism

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Study the works of existentialist philosophers such as Sartre, Camus, and Nietzsche.
Identify the similarities and differences between Kierkegaard's views and those of other existentialists.

Write a Short Essay on Kierkegaard's View of Faith

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Demonstrate your comprehension of Kierkegaard's unique interpretation of faith and its significance in human existence.

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Research Kierkegaard's writings on faith.
Develop a thesis statement that articulates your understanding of Kierkegaard's view of faith.
Write a coherent essay that supports your thesis with evidence from Kierkegaard's work.

Design a Socratic Dialogue on a Contemporary Issue

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Apply Kierkegaard's Socratic approach to a pressing contemporary issue, fostering critical thinking and exploring diverse perspectives.

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Identify a contemporary issue that resonates with Kierkegaard's philosophical inquiries.
Develop characters representing different viewpoints on the issue.
Write a dialogue that employs Socratic questioning and dialectical reasoning to explore the issue's complexities.

Career center

Learners who complete Søren Kierkegaard - Subjectivity, Irony and the Crisis of Modernity will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Philosopher

A Philosopher is someone who is interested in the fundamental nature of reality, and in the way that we understand and experience the world. This course, which explores the ideas of Søren Kierkegaard, a Danish philosopher who lived in the 19th century, would be very helpful for someone who wants to become a Philosopher. Kierkegaard was interested in the problems of subjectivity, irony, and the crisis of modernity, all of which are still relevant today. This course would help a Philosopher to gain a deeper understanding of these problems, and to develop their own philosophical thinking.

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Theology Professor

A Theology Professor is someone who teaches about religion, and the history, beliefs, and practices of different religious traditions. This course, which explores the ideas of Søren Kierkegaard, a Danish philosopher who lived in the 19th century, would be very helpful for someone who wants to become a Theology Professor. Kierkegaard was a Christian, and his work is full of insights into the nature of faith, and the relationship between God and humanity. This course would help a Theology Professor to gain a deeper understanding of Kierkegaard's thought, and to develop their own theological thinking.

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Religious Studies Professor

A Religious Studies Professor is someone who teaches about religion, and the history, beliefs, and practices of different religious traditions. This course, which explores the ideas of Søren Kierkegaard, a Danish philosopher who lived in the 19th century, would be very helpful for someone who wants to become a Religious Studies Professor. Kierkegaard was a Christian, and his work is full of insights into the nature of faith, and the relationship between God and humanity. This course would help a Religious Studies Professor to gain a deeper understanding of Kierkegaard's thought, and to develop their own theological thinking.

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Writer

A Writer is someone who creates written content, such as books, articles, and poems. This course, which explores the ideas of Søren Kierkegaard, a Danish philosopher who lived in the 19th century, may be helpful for someone who wants to become a Writer. Kierkegaard was a brilliant writer, and his work is full of insights into the human condition. This course would help a Writer to develop their writing skills, and to gain a deeper understanding of the human experience.

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Editor

An Editor is someone who checks written content for errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation. This course, which explores the ideas of Søren Kierkegaard, a Danish philosopher who lived in the 19th century, may be helpful for someone who wants to become an Editor. Kierkegaard's work is full of complex ideas, and editing his work would help an Editor to develop their skills in identifying and correcting errors.

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Historian

A Historian is someone who studies the past, and writes about it in books and articles. This course, which explores the ideas of Søren Kierkegaard, a Danish philosopher who lived in the 19th century, may be helpful for someone who wants to become a Historian. Kierkegaard's work is full of insights into the human condition, and studying his work would help a Historian to gain a deeper understanding of the past.

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Teacher

A Teacher is someone who teaches students about a particular subject. This course, which explores the ideas of Søren Kierkegaard, a Danish philosopher who lived in the 19th century, may be helpful for someone who wants to become a Teacher. Kierkegaard's work is full of insights into the human condition, and studying his work would help a Teacher to gain a deeper understanding of their students.

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Librarian

A Librarian is someone who helps people to find and use books and other resources in a library. This course, which explores the ideas of Søren Kierkegaard, a Danish philosopher who lived in the 19th century, may be helpful for someone who wants to become a Librarian. Kierkegaard's work is full of insights into the human condition, and studying his work would help a Librarian to gain a deeper understanding of their patrons.

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Archivist

An Archivist is someone who collects, preserves, and makes accessible historical records. This course, which explores the ideas of Søren Kierkegaard, a Danish philosopher who lived in the 19th century, may be helpful for someone who wants to become an Archivist. Kierkegaard's work is full of insights into the human condition, and studying his work would help an Archivist to gain a deeper understanding of the historical records that they are responsible for.

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Museum curator

A Museum Curator is someone who is responsible for the care and display of museum collections. This course, which explores the ideas of Søren Kierkegaard, a Danish philosopher who lived in the 19th century, may be helpful for someone who wants to become a Museum Curator. Kierkegaard's work is full of insights into the human condition, and studying his work would help a Museum Curator to gain a deeper understanding of the objects that they are responsible for.

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Journalist

A Journalist is someone who writes articles for newspapers, magazines, and websites. This course, which explores the ideas of Søren Kierkegaard, a Danish philosopher who lived in the 19th century, may be helpful for someone who wants to become a Journalist. Kierkegaard's work is full of insights into the human condition, and studying his work would help a Journalist to gain a deeper understanding of the world around them.

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Lawyer

A Lawyer is someone who represents clients in court and advises them on legal matters. This course, which explores the ideas of Søren Kierkegaard, a Danish philosopher who lived in the 19th century, may be helpful for someone who wants to become a Lawyer. Kierkegaard's work is full of insights into the human condition, and studying his work would help a Lawyer to gain a deeper understanding of their clients and the legal system.

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Politician

A Politician is someone who holds elected office in government. This course, which explores the ideas of Søren Kierkegaard, a Danish philosopher who lived in the 19th century, may be helpful for someone who wants to become a Politician. Kierkegaard's work is full of insights into the human condition, and studying his work would help a Politician to gain a deeper understanding of the people they represent.

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Social Worker

A Social Worker is someone who helps people to improve their lives and cope with challenges. This course, which explores the ideas of Søren Kierkegaard, a Danish philosopher who lived in the 19th century, may be helpful for someone who wants to become a Social Worker. Kierkegaard's work is full of insights into the human condition, and studying his work would help a Social Worker to gain a deeper understanding of the people they work with.

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Psychologist

A Psychologist is someone who studies the mind and behavior. This course, which explores the ideas of Søren Kierkegaard, a Danish philosopher who lived in the 19th century, may be helpful for someone who wants to become a Psychologist. Kierkegaard's work is full of insights into the human condition, and studying his work would help a Psychologist to gain a deeper understanding of the human mind.

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Reading list

We've selected 14 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Søren Kierkegaard - Subjectivity, Irony and the Crisis of Modernity.

The Essential Kierkegaard

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A critical work by the philosopher Søren Kierkegaard that provides a history of irony and its relation to the development of self-consciousness, subjectivity, and ethics.

The Essential Kierkegaard

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