The Influence of Kant’s Epistemology on Kierkegaard

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 PhD Candidate of Philosophy, University of Isfahan. Iran

2 Associate Professor of Philosophy, University of Isfahan, Iran

Abstract

There could be various comparative studies between Kant and Kierkegaard on fields like human knowledge, ethics, faith, art, etc. This paper aims to compare the two philosopher’s epistemology through their writings. The main common ground of Kant’s and Kierkegaard’s epistemology is their belief in the idea of a “fissure” between theory and practice, which constitutes the core of their contemplations on human knowledge. This article shows that Kant’s theory of knowledge paved the way for Kierkegaard to describe his notions of the “fissure” between being and thought. Thus, it will be shown that Kant and Kierkegaard have been led to believe in the finitude of human beings in knowledge by this split. Then, it will be demonstrated that Kierkegaard, following Kant, distinguishes “being” from “essence” and “actuality” from “ideality”. Finally, we argue that Kant’s critique of the traditional proofs of God’s existence anticipates Kierkegaard’s conflict with natural theology and his idea that traditional demonstrations are useless for a believer.

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References

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Journal of Philosophical Investigations
Volume 17, Issue 43 - Serial Number 43
Articles
2023
Pages 132-152

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