truth is subjectivity
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Saint Leo University *
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121
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Philosophy
Date
Dec 6, 2023
Type
docx
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3
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Truth Is Subjectivity
Kierkegaard's claim implies that religious faith is not just a matter of believing certain
propositions or truths but also of the passion and intensity with which one holds those beliefs. In
other words, it is not just the content of one's beliefs that matters but also the depth and sincerity
of one's commitment to those beliefs. This narrowly relates to Kierkegaard's notion that "truth is
subjectivity," that propose that the credibility of a philosophy is assessed not by its adherence to
unbiased reality but by its importance and influence on the person who holds it. For Kierkegaard,
religious faith is not just about believing in God or certain spiritual instructions but about living
one's life in a way that profoundly and sincerely commits to these beliefs.
One way to understand
Kierkegaard's claim that pagans who prays zealously to a fabricated gods are better saints than
Christians who prays to the Christian God without passion is to see it as a critique of what he
sees as the superficial and unexamined nature of much religious belief. For Kierkegaard, a
person who is passionate and sincere in their religious faith, even if that faith is misguided or
based on false assumptions, is more worthy of admiration and respect than a person who holds
their religious beliefs casually or without much thought or commitment. In this sense,
Kierkegaard's claim is a challenge to those who might take their religious beliefs for granted or
hold those beliefs without really examining or thinking deeply about them. For Kierkegaard, true
religious faith is not just a matter of rotely following certain beliefs or practices but of living
one's life with a deep and passionate commitment to those beliefs.
Surname 2
I do not think Kierkegaard is right about this. While I agree with his idea that religious
faith involves a certain level of passion and commitment, I do not think this is a priority over the
truth or correctness of one's beliefs. A person passionate about a false belief is still misguided
and wrong, regardless of the intensity of their conviction. Furthermore, I think that Kierkegaard's
claim that "truth is subjectivity" is problematic. While I agree that the truth of a belief or idea can
be influenced by the individual who holds it, I do not think this means that objective truth does
not exist. Instead, I think that certain objective truths are independent of the beliefs or
perspectives of individuals and that it is essential for people to strive to align their beliefs with
those objective truths. In short, while I appreciate Kierkegaard's emphasis on the importance of
passion and commitment in religious faith, I cannot entirely agree with his view that pagans who
worship zealously to a fabricated god are better saints than Christians who worships the Christian
God without optimal zeal. I also cannot entirely agree with his idea that "truth is subjectivity," as
objective truth exists and is vital for people to strive to align their beliefs.
Furthermore, I think
Kierkegaard's claim devalues the role of reason and critical thinking in religious faith. While
passion and commitment are essential, I believe that religious faith should also involve a certain
degree of intellectual engagement and reflection. This means accepting religious beliefs without
question and being willing to challenge those beliefs to better understand and live by them.
Generally, while I appreciate Kierkegaard's emphasis on the prominence of commitment and zeal
in religious conviction, I do not think that this is a priority over the truth of one's beliefs.
Surname 3
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