PHIL 375 Lecture Notes - Categorical Imperative, Temporality
22 Dec 2012
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Document Summary
Kierkegaard argues that reality is higher than possibility. From an ethical perspective, reality is higher than possibility. Sometimes, when he talks about the ethical, he is critiquing the kantian position, one of rational, objective morality. For kierkegaard, true ethical decisions are made in complete and absolute freedom, a vacuum. They are decisions that are completely unique for each individual. Hence, reality is higher than possibility is regarding the true ethical thinker, whose decisions are existential, concrete. What is merely possible is in the realm of thought and knowledge, whereas reality has to do with the now, with existence. To make an ethical decision is to make it in the vacuum. One must refrain from theoretical, external reflection, so that it does not become a mere possibility. One cannot think about one"s ethical decisions in an abstract way. They become a concrete reality when thinking is choosing and acting, not when thinking is thinking about possibilities.
