Personal worldview of religion
Your initial exposure to existentialism in this course has been through the religious existentialism of Kierkegaard and the atheist existentialism of Nietzsche. Reflect on your personal worldview. Does it include something that might be recognized or called the Divine, that is, God? Whatever your particular case, choose the philosopher (i.e., Kierkegaard or Nietzsche) who holds the opposing view. Engage with their philosophy sincerely, which is to say how does their philosophy challenge and positively inform your current worldview (e.g., If you’re religious how does Nietzsche positively inform your faith? Likewise, if you’re not religious [atheist] how does Kierkegaard positively inform your atheism?)
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_Insights into how Kierkegaard and Nietzsche might challenge and inform different perspectives on the divine.
For someone who believes in God or the divine, Kierkegaard’s religious existentialism may resonate with their worldview. Kierkegaard emphasized the subjective experience of faith and the importance of personal relationship with God. He rejected the idea that faith could be proven through reason or empirical evidence, arguing that it required a leap of faith beyond what is rational or logical.
However, Nietzsche’s atheist existentialism could challenge this perspective by questioning the very existence of God. Nietzsche famously declared that “God is dead,” meaning that traditional religious beliefs and values no longer held sway in modern society. Nietzsche believed that humans should take responsibility for writing a UK dissertation assignment pro papers masters thesis writing – creating their own values and meaning in life, rather than relying on the divine.
For someone who does not believe in God or the divine, Kierkegaard’s philosophy could still offer insights into the human experience. Kierkegaard emphasized the importance of individual choice and the need to take responsibility for one’s own life. He also recognized the challenges and uncertainties that come with existence, and encouraged individuals to embrace their own unique path rather than following the crowd.
On the other hand, Nietzsche’s philosophy could offer a different perspective on atheism. Rather than simply rejecting the idea of God, Nietzsche believed that humans should embrace their own power and creativity in shaping the world around them. He saw life as a constant struggle and encouraged individuals to seek out new challenges and overcome obstacles in order to become stronger and more resilient.
Overall, both Kierkegaard and Nietzsche offer unique perspectives on the human experience and the search for meaning and purpose in life. Depending on one’s worldview, their philosophies may challenge or inform different aspects of personal beliefs and values.
