RADICAL DEMAND AND SPONTANEITY IN K.E. LØGSTRUP’S PHENOMENOLOGICAL ETHICS WITH CONTINUOUS REFERENCE TO S.KIERKEGAARD

Danish philosopher and theologian Knud Ejler Løgstrup (1905–1981) was professor of ethics philosophy at the University Aarhus. During his lifetime he published numerous books in phenomenology. In context current article we should mention here Norm Spontaneity, Art Ethics and, most significant, The Ethical Demand Controverting Kierkegaard. purpose is research basic notions ontological ethics—the ethical imperative (radical, unspoken, one-sided unfulfillable) sovereign expressions life (trust, mercy, love, forgiveness, open speech, etc.). If first one regards demand for unselfish actions individual, then second one—spontaneity openness towards other. order to disclose these notions, confronts Løgstrup’s interpretation with Søren Kierkegaard’s (1813–1855) stance, since concept offered reader book criticizes Kierkegaard not paying attention real phenomena concentrating upon solely religious self-reflection nuclear abstract individual. consists introduction, two parts conclusion. introduction sets stage further investigation giving historical background, tracing influences by leading phenomenologists 20th century (a special role assigned Hans Lipps, Martin Heidegger Frederic Gogarten). part devoted explication imperative, while part—to human interdependence. summarized conclusion, stressing possibility apply phenomenological approach nursing psychiatry.