UNCERTAINTY
Herein are a few haphazard thoughts on Kierkegaard, at a time when his understanding of uncertainty, anxiety, irony, and despair seem to be particularly pertinent.
Kierkegaard in his writing is adamant about a person’s ability to lead an intellectual life, having not lived at all. This is a concept I’ve mulled over thoroughly. So compelling was my desire to overcome this potential void of existence that I set a course across the globe, for what has now been over a year. This warning from Kierkegaard I do not think necessarily entails a global voyage or endless adventure, but I - a person who enjoys learning - could easily succumb to a trap in which the next academic pursuit is all that lies ahead, and my image of self ends up contorted in a fashion that would (I assume) be difficult to escape. And so, we should ensure we partake in negative modes of liberation, asking the Socratic questions, but also remember the benefits of the Epicurean model. Gardening and lounging far away from the city and such. Or whatever living may be to you. Intellectuality is not a way of life, I suppose is my point. You can possess qualities of an intellectual, but that is not the summation of your life. And if you think it is, in Kierkegaard's opinion, you are not self-conscious (read self-aware). And why else is a consciousness of self important…?
Regarding irony, which Kierkegaard goes into more detail about than I will, I think there is a sense of modern humans having collectively relied and depended upon technology so heavily. Texting, video calls, social media, etc. These new modes of communication and technology have made it easier to observe and interact with people without actually coming in direct contact with anyone. And suddenly, it is not enough. We thought perhaps it might be. Everyone wants to hug everyone and meet in person and go for a walk in the park arm in arm. I guess my point is, what everyone thought was enough, what people claimed to love about technology, what makes these new modes of technology so convenient, are not convenient anymore. They are not enough. Yes, they are something and better than nothing, but still. The emergence of technology does not somehow rewire basic human needs and instincts to connect. Technology does not provide adequate solace for having certain freedoms infringed upon. It is ironic that our basic human desires from connection and communication are clearly not met fully by my technological replacements. Technology does not fully take away anxiety or uncertainty or make knowing ourselves (or others) inherently easier.
I have always loved Kierkegaard’s conclusions about uncertainty, even if I do not fully agree with his solution (self-conscious decision to accept God’s will). Uncertainty creates anxiety. But, uncertainty bestows humans with freedom. We have the freedom to choose, to makes choices, to think independently, and to pursue our own manner of being in the world. Yet, some people are unable to handle the uncertainty; the anxiety of having to make choices is paralyzing. For example, not knowing if a choice will lead to success or failure - choices are difficult when the outcome is uncertain. But as a part of the human experience, no outcome is ever certain. And this reality is perhaps too much for some. Their choice is to merge into the masses, to conform. Because choosing is too difficult and acknowledging the everpresent undercurrent of anxiety is too immense a task, too uncomfortable. They revoke their freedom of choice by having others (the media, popular personalities, friends, families, religious communities, idols, etc) make choices on their behalf, set their pattern of beliefs for them. All they have to do is follow along with normative thoughts and behaviors. But, in denial of the essence of uncertainty and anxiety, in ignoring the freedom that humans are given to make independent choices, people will inevitably sink into despair and experience a further disconnect from self, will be further disconnected from others, and experience greater existential anxiety.
To quote Kierkegaard:
“My soul is so heavy that thought can no more sustain it, no wingbeat lift it up into the ether. If it moves, it sweeps along the ground like the low flight of birds when a thunderstorm is approaching. Over my innermost being there broods a depression, an anxiety, that presages an earthquake.”
Regarding despair, Kierkegaard defines this as the avoidance of the truth of human freedom or the avoidance or misunderstanding of anxiety as the essence of human existence. Kierkegaard illuminated in his works how people could either deny or ignore their self, their existence in the world. Human conformity to normative behavior negates independent thinking and therefore leads to desperation caused by a not-knowing of the self. Despair is “man’s unconsciousness of being characterized as spirit.” People are in the depths of despair when they are not even aware. At such a point, a person is furthest from their spirit of being, furthest from themselves, and furthest from others in the world.
Aesthetic existence, similar to purely academic or other single-minded pursuits to put it quite simply, allow a person to ignore their self. They are not conscious of themselves, but rather conscious of normative, conforming drivel. Lacking real decision making power in their life, they invest their time in an empty ‘aesthetic existence' wherein they seek meaningless pleasures and pursuits, feel constantly disconnected from others, and flummoxed by the moods that accompany such melancholy and boredom. This life leads to despair, and is full of materialistic worries, following the masses, not deviating from societal norms, not thinking independently for oneself. To be released from conformist society and the soporific, vapid normative behaviors, Kierkegaard argues that it is necessary to acknowledge self-conscious decision making and the acceptance of faith in the uncertainty of the will of God. I do think that people need to acknowledge self-conscious living - as in, being conscious of their being and likewise conscious of the ironies surrounding their beingness. I am not convinced, however, that faith in God is the only answer to resolve this, but at this moment I do not have a substitute argument which is well-organized.
I do agree with Kierkegaard regarding what religion should do - it should not be showy, or outward, or flashy, but rather inward and individual. Not politicized. When religion has no boundaries, and is constantly on display and being paraded around, the point of religion is not to adhere or to have faith in the will of God. Traditions, structures, rules, common practices, religious norms are wholly inadequate in Kierkegaard’s opinion; he does not see how they have anything to do with fulfilling human life. At that point, religion is more likely to fall victim to human rationalization and attempts to root human morals, ethics, politics, emotions, etc in religion. Rather, for Kierkegaard - although certainly not for many Enlightenment thinkers, religion does possess a degree of human rationality, nor is it defined by human reason. He calls for inward renewal. Obviously this religious piece of Kierkegaard’s was certainly not carried forward by others in the more contemporary existential tradition, but given Kierkegaard’s upbringing, I understand (and sympathize) with his perspective in this regard.
And so concludes my most recent rambling remarks on Kierkegaard. Everyone is getting an intense taste of uncertainty these days, but uncertainty is, as you now know, the essence of the human condition. We have perhaps fooled ourselves by thinking that technology, science, research, planning, and other disciplines or methodologies could ever vanquish uncertainty. It mitigates it, but uncertainty will continue to exist alongside human existence. And those who are most anxious, most affected and preoccupied with uncertainty, are those who are most uncomfortable with this element of human existence, those who are less conscious of their selfhood. Uncertainty is pervasive and unavoidable in human life. But, it gives us the freedom to know ourselves, and the freedom to make choices. Uncertainty and anxiety give us the freedom to experience endless possibilities in our world. Without uncertainty, the risks and rewards, the failures and successes would not be so sweet.
“If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.” - Anne Bradstreet
