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An Examination Of Soren Kerkkegaard's Notion Of Human Existence
CHAPTER ONE -- [Total Page(s) 4]
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1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
Existential
philosophy rest on the conception that man must first exist, then take
responsibility of creating meaning or essence for his existence. This
task of creating meaning can be says to be enormous. Therefore, man must
be at its best to be able to exercise such responsibility.
Consequently, questions regarding the human person arise. Questions such
as who is a human being? What does existence like? Or what is the
meaning of man’s existence. Does man have absolute freedom to make
choices? etc. It is in this sense that this research plays a significant
role to man as he hopes to realize himself. Thus, the significance of
this work can be outline as follows:
It helps man to realize his
purpose of existence thereby fashioning his own life through realization
and reflection on himself by excluding himself from the crowd.
Kierkegaard
proposed three stages on life would benefits contemporary man to come
to the actualization of his essence with the understanding that to exist
is to be an individual who strives, who considers alternatives, who
chooses, who decides and who makes a commitment more importantly, for
ensuring existential commitment, worthy of making the individual sound,
critical focused, brave, courageous and analytical minded in making
decisions for his very life.
It is also of relevance to contemporary
man in re-orienting the contemporary world on the fact that
self-realization and valuation is possible only if man makes personal
decision out of deep personal reflection and free exercise of his will
power while being ready to take responsibilities for his subjective
decisions than objective crowd following.
Also, bearing in mind the
scope of epistemology which deals with the nature, scope and criterion
of knowledge. The research contributes epistemologically by revealing
such knowledge that qualifies such a conclusion on human nature. It’s
also awakes the slumbering man to take responsibility and create his
essence or meaning even in the face of existential predicaments.
1.6 METHODOLOGY OF STUDY
In
order to give this work its required philosophical grounding, the
researcher made wide consultation of research materials on Kierkegaard.
The outcome of that effort is manifested in the acquisition of deep
knowledge of existentialists’ concept of human existence. However, there
is strict adherence to Kierkegaardian method. Some necessary opinions
or insights of others are employed as and when due as the research
progresses.
The work therefore employs the philosophical methods of
analysis, criticism and prescription. Analytical, as to how it relates
the existential ideas to subjective experiences. Critical, in that it
does not assimilate all Kierkegaard’s assumptions, rather it appraises
his strong points but criticizes the unwholesome aspects of his notion
or teachings in regard to human existence. Prescriptive, as it seeks to
prescribe answer to the questions regarding the meaning of authentic
human existence.
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