Kierkegaard and Asceticism

Existenz 1 (13):39-43 (2018)
  Copy   BIBTEX

Abstract

In Religion of Existence, Noreen Khawaja suggests that Kierkegaard is an “ascetic” thinker. By this, she means that he regards religious striving as (1) requiring ceaseless renewal and (2) being an end in itself rather than a means to some further end. In this paper, I raise challenges to both parts of Khawaja’s proposal. I argue that the first part stands in tension with Kierkegaard’s assertion that his infinitely demanding account of religious existence is meant merely as a “corrective.” The second part, I maintain, does not fit well with his claim that our eternal salvation is at stake in religious striving.

Author's Profile

Antony Aumann
Northern Michigan University

Analytics

Added to PP
2019-08-14

Downloads
204 (#64,619)

6 months
90 (#40,375)

Historical graph of downloads since first upload
This graph includes both downloads from PhilArchive and clicks on external links on PhilPapers.
How can I increase my downloads?