Fear and Trembling

1. Faith Requires a Teleological Suspension of the Ethical

In his action he overstepped the ethical altogether, and had a higher telos outside it, in relation to which he suspended it.

Ethical Duty vs. Divine Command. Kierkegaard introduces the concept of a "teleological suspension of the ethical," where faith necessitates setting aside conventional moral obligations to fulfill a higher, divine purpose. This is exemplified by Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac, an act that defies ethical norms but is undertaken in obedience to God.

Ethical as Universal. The ethical, in Kierkegaard's view, represents the universal moral code that applies to all individuals at all times. It is a system of duties and obligations that govern social interactions and maintain order. However, faith, as demonstrated by Abraham, transcends this universal ethical framework.

Paradoxical Nature of Faith. The teleological suspension of the ethical creates a paradox, as it requires the individual to act against what is considered morally right in the eyes of society. This paradox is central to Kierkegaard's understanding of faith, highlighting its inherent tension and difficulty.

2. The Individual Stands Above the Universal Through Faith

For faith is just this paradox, that the single individual is higher than the universal.

Individual vs. Collective. Kierkegaard posits that faith elevates the individual above the universal, challenging the Hegelian notion that the individual finds fulfillment only through integration into the collective. Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac demonstrates a commitment to a personal relationship with God that supersedes societal expectations.

Absolute Relation to the Absolute. This elevation of the individual is not arbitrary but stems from a direct, unmediated relationship with the divine. The individual, through faith, enters into an "absolute relation to the absolute," bypassing the need for ethical justification or social approval.

Ethical Duty as Relative. This absolute duty to God renders ethical duties relative. The ethical is not abolished, but it is given a paradoxical expression. Love of God can cause the knight of faith to give his love of his neighbor the opposite expression to that which is his duty ethically speaking.

3. Abraham's Silence Highlights Faith's Inexpressible Nature

Abraham cannot be mediated, which can also be put by saying he cannot speak.

Inability to Articulate Faith. Abraham's inability to explain his actions to Sarah, Eleazar, or Isaac underscores the inexpressible nature of faith. Faith, in Kierkegaard's view, transcends rational understanding and cannot be adequately conveyed through language.

Universal vs. Particular. Speech, by its nature, operates within the realm of the universal, seeking to establish common ground and shared understanding. However, faith, as a deeply personal and subjective experience, defies such universalization.

Distress and Anguish. Abraham's silence is not a sign of weakness or evasion but a reflection of the profound distress and anguish that accompany genuine faith. He cannot communicate the reasons for his actions because they are rooted in a realm beyond human comprehension.

4. Anguish is Intrinsic to the Paradox of Faith

What is left out of the Abraham story is the anguish.

Sleepless Nights. Kierkegaard emphasizes that the story of Abraham is not just about obedience but about the immense anguish involved in the decision to suspend the ethical. This anguish is not merely emotional distress but a deep existential struggle.

Ethical Contradiction. The anguish arises from the inherent contradiction between Abraham's ethical duty as a father and his religious duty to God. He is torn between his love for Isaac and his unwavering faith, creating a profound inner conflict.

The Test of Faith. This anguish is not a sign of weakness but a crucial component of the test of faith. It is through grappling with this inner turmoil that Abraham demonstrates the depth and sincerity of his commitment to God.

5. Resignation Precedes and Underpins Faith

In infinite resignation there is peace and repose; anyone who wants it, who has not debased himself by – what is still worse than being too proud – belittling himself, can discipline himself into making this movement.

Renunciation of the Finite. Before one can attain faith, one must first undergo a process of infinite resignation, relinquishing all claims to worldly possessions, desires, and expectations. This involves a conscious and deliberate renunciation of the finite in favor of the infinite.

Eternal Consciousness. Through resignation, the individual gains an eternal consciousness, a sense of connection to something beyond the temporal realm. This provides a foundation for faith, allowing the individual to transcend the limitations of earthly existence.

Discipline and Effort. Resignation is not a passive acceptance of fate but an active and disciplined process that requires strength of will and a willingness to confront the pain of loss. It is a necessary prerequisite for the leap of faith.

6. The Absurd is the Realm Where Faith Operates

He believed on the strength of the absurd, for there could be no question of human calculation, and it was indeed absurd that God who demanded this of him should in the next instant withdraw the demand.

Beyond Reason and Logic. Faith, according to Kierkegaard, operates in the realm of the absurd, where reason and logic cease to apply. It is a belief in something that defies human understanding and cannot be justified through rational means.

Double Movement of Faith. Abraham's faith is characterized by a "double movement": first, the infinite resignation of Isaac, and second, the belief that he will receive Isaac back despite the impossibility of such an event. This second movement is made "on the strength of the absurd."

Human Impossibility. The absurd is not merely improbable or unlikely but humanly impossible. It is a situation where all rational calculations and expectations are suspended, and the individual relies solely on faith in the divine.

7. The Knight of Faith Embodies Finitude and Infinity

The knights of infinite resignation are readily recognizable, their gait is gliding, bold. But those who wear the jewel of faith can easily disappoint, for their exterior bears a remarkable similarity to what infinite resignation itself as much as faith scorns, namely the bourgeois philistine.

Ordinary Appearance. The "knight of faith," the individual who has successfully made the leap into the absurd, often appears outwardly ordinary, indistinguishable from the "bourgeois philistine." This is because they have fully embraced both the infinite and the finite.

Mastery of Both Realms. The knight of faith has mastered the art of navigating both the spiritual and the earthly realms. They have experienced the pain of renunciation and the bliss of faith, yet they remain grounded in the everyday realities of life.

The Dance of Faith. Kierkegaard uses the metaphor of a dancer to illustrate the knight of faith's ability to seamlessly transition between the infinite and the finite. They can "leap straight into a definite position" without wavering or losing their balance.

8. Hegelian Ethics Cannot Accommodate Abraham's Faith

Where Hegel goes wrong, on the other hand, is in talking about faith, in not protesting loudly and clearly against the honor and glory enjoyed by Abraham as the father of faith when he should really be remitted to some lower court for trial and exposed as a murderer.

Clash of Worldviews. Kierkegaard critiques Hegelian ethics for its inability to account for the phenomenon of faith. Hegel's emphasis on reason, universality, and the integration of the individual into the state clashes with the paradoxical and subjective nature of faith.

Ethical vs. Religious. Hegelian ethics, according to Kierkegaard, prioritizes the ethical life, where individuals find fulfillment through contributing to the well-being of society. However, faith, as exemplified by Abraham, transcends this ethical framework, placing the individual in a direct relationship with the divine.

Abraham as a Murderer. From a Hegelian perspective, Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac would be considered a moral outrage, an act of irrationality and barbarism. Kierkegaard argues that if Hegelian ethics is the ultimate standard, then Abraham should be condemned as a murderer.

9. The Demonic Mirrors the Divine, Yet Remains Distinct

The demonic has that same property as the divine, that the individual can enter into an absolute relationship to it.

Counterfeit Faith. Kierkegaard explores the concept of the "demonic" as a distorted reflection of the divine. The demonic, like faith, involves a direct, unmediated relationship with an absolute, but this absolute is not God but a destructive force.

Isolation and Concealment. The demonic individual, like the knight of faith, is often isolated and concealed, operating outside the bounds of conventional morality. However, their actions are driven by self-serving motives rather than a genuine commitment to the divine.

The Merman and Agnete. The legend of Agnete and the Merman serves as an example of the demonic. The merman, a seducer from the depths, represents the allure of the demonic, while Agnete's innocence and faith offer a path to redemption.

10. The Task of Each Generation is to Grasp Faith Anew

In this respect every generation begins afresh, has no task other than that of any previous generation, and comes no further, provided the latter didn't shirk its task and deceive itself.

No Progress in Faith. Kierkegaard emphasizes that faith is not something that can be inherited or accumulated over time. Each generation must grapple with the paradox of faith anew, without relying on the experiences or insights of previous generations.

Authenticity and Passion. The key to genuine faith is authenticity and passion. Each individual must confront the challenges and uncertainties of existence with honesty and a willingness to embrace the absurd.

Avoiding Self-Deception. The greatest danger lies in self-deception, in pretending to have faith without truly understanding its demands and complexities. Each generation must guard against complacency and strive to grasp the essence of faith for themselves.

Last updated: March 29, 2025