Book Chapter

Kierkegaard's Ambiguous Aesthetics

Jothen, Peder

2014

Overview

This chapter discusses view of the braidedness of form and content because it is a particularly apropos concept through which to engage Kierkegaard's conception of the aesthetic. It suggests that few 'fragments' within Kierkegaard's aesthetic. These fragments are not part of a whole, unified idea of the aesthetic, that when combined, creates a complete Kierkegaardian aesthetic system. A fragment focuses on Kierkegaard's literary style, explicating how a variety of literary styles directly and indirectly communicate Christian faith. The chapter examines the aesthetic as fragments require making sense of Kierkegaard's conception of selfhood, particularly through a theological anthropology that recognizes the importance of aesthetics within self-formation. The prime example of the aesthetic self living through natural passion is Either/Or I written by A and edited by Victor Eremita. As a tactic of provocation, Kierkegaard through A is using the aesthetic self to call a reader to reflect upon the nature of ethical responsibility, something the Don lacks.

• Publisher: Routledge,Taylor & Francis Group
• Subject: Christianity / Philosophy of religion / Philosophy: aesthetics / Religion: general / Western philosophy: c 1600 to c 1900
• ISBN: 1138546119, 9781409470168, 1409470164, 9781138546110