How can he improve our lives? — Ibn Sina
The only "improvement" I expect from any philosophy is a more accurate view of what's the case. — Terrapin Station
The point is that I'm looking at philosophy to try to "improve myself." In my view philosophy has nothing whatsoever to do with that . . . at least not aside from increasing knowledge. — Terrapin Station
So, what kind of knowledge are you looking to increase, and to what end ? — Amity
And philosophy helps with this how ?I'm curious about what the world is like factually. — Terrapin Station
And philosophy helps with this how ? — Amity
It's the whole nut of what philosophy is. What were you thinking philosophy is? — Terrapin Station
Absurdity of faith
Truth is subjective
Leap of faith
what comes to mind for me — matt
As Amity has said, there is considerable therapeutic value to be found in Kierkegaard's work. Although, the determination of the who, what, when and so on of therapy is not an individual process, and according to Kierkegaard's philosophy comes through the everlasting grace of God. — Wallows
Amongst other things, I am looking to understand how Kierkegaard's writings can be thought of as being therapeutic, as a way to improve self. — Amity
My purpose is... [ to have ]... a conversation which might lead to an improved understanding of any therapeutic value.
I am not yet convinced of this, but then again I haven't read him. I am sure others have. — Amity
Is this claim, bolded above, one you would make yourself ? — Amity
If so, can you say what have you read or absorbed that might support it ? — Amity
I think the excellent questions of 'who, what, where, who, when and how' provide a good basis for both general enquiry and also as a mind mapping tool for self development. — Amity
Amongst other things, I am looking to understand how Kierkegaard's writings can be thought of as being therapeutic, as a way to improve self.
— Amity
My purpose is... [ to have ]... a conversation which might lead to an improved understanding of any therapeutic value.
I am not yet convinced of this, but then again I haven't read him. I am sure others have. — Amity
If you haven't read him then you need to begin to do so. You will see the charge he puts on you as an existing subject. His perspective is, in many ways, insurmountable. — Merkwurdichliebe
probably the most underrated philosopher of all time, maybe after Diogenes. — Merkwurdichliebe
Depends on the philosopher — Wallows
As Amity has said, there is considerable therapeutic value to be found in Kierkegaard's work. — Wallows
If so, can you say what have you read or absorbed that might support it ? — Amity
Yes, I suppose I haven't read enough Kierkegaard. My apologies. — Wallows
In the meantime, I would be interested to hear your views on the questions posed in the OP.
Also, what do you see as his perspective and why would it be insurmountable ? — Amity
K's entire philosophy seeks to focus his reader from existence as an abstraction, and back into himself as the existing subject - what he calls inwardness. — Merkwurdichliebe
His method seems to be inverted. Do you agree with this assessment? — Wallows
Absolutely. The subject is dialectical middle term. It is the negative, and to speak about it directly, positively, is a negation. — Merkwurdichliebe
I can't but feel as though Kierkegaard is drawing out the subject/object divide here between God and the individual. In of itself, this can cause anxiety by highlighting our distance from God, as if he/she/it didn't exist in everything around us including ourselves, which are modeled in the image of God him/her/itself. It's almost as if he's denying the existence of the Holy Spirit. — Wallows
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