“Let Not the Heart in Sorrow Sin”: Considering Kierkegaard’s Relation to Nihilistic Humanism as a Matter of Christian versus Pagan Truth

Abstract In what way does Kierkegaard’s conception of selfhood and despair address the prospect nihilistic humanism wherein God, sin, spirit are conceived as creations humankind intended to escape distress nihilism imbue life with meaning? By contrasting thought that a Straussian‐Feuerbachian amalgam ‘Left Hegelianism’, I argue work (i.e., taken more holistically than Anti‐Climacus’s writings alone so make matter truth conspicuous it is in, note, The Sickness unto Death ) may indeed be interpreted addressing humanism. Specifically, topic proves essential for demarcating Kierkegaardian (the ‘inside viewpoint’) from Left Hegelianism ‘outside viewpoint’). First, recapitulate concepts self ( Selv Fortvivlelse ). Second, present in sequence views ‘outside’ ‘inside’ authorship. Third, taking Kierkegaard imply engagement viewpoints necessary, examine process ‘prefixture’ whereby one prefixes outside inside viewpoint or undertakes countermovement prefixing viewpoint. Finally, conclude full integration two untenable underscore vis‐à‐vis God both definitive deciding between which addresses form despair.