Here, Kierkegaard takes two opposite frames in order to understand life, on one frame, it discusses about hope, it is a hoping against hope by virtue of the absurd; and not in the sense of an irrational earthly hope, but a hope in spite of a realistic appraisal of the odds against earthly hope . The other, which deals about the frame of experience, are both internally opposed.
In contrast, Kierkegaard uses the idea of the concept of the eternal hope to open up a possibility, relieving the pressures of finitude and necessity that threatens to suffocate a person; second hope is future-oriented, as we have seen, without having to giving up one?s past or recollection. Thirdly, hope is object-oriented, grounded not on earthly calculation, which can be supremely realistic, but puts forward God as He alone is the source of possibility. And lastly, eternal hope, brings about a person beyond the ?resignation of sagacity or despair?, in this case while restraining one?s hopes or giving up hope altogether, hope is opened into broader prospects.
VI. Epilogue.
Kierkegaard?s conception about the problematic stature of man?s situation in the world, as well as the emotional thrust of being able to grasp the melancholy of human existence opted him to find refuge in the sagacity of Christian hope and the possibility of God. Kierkegaard, in his philosophy of finding the essence of man?s despair, as well as its connection to human activity made his works purposive as well as significant in the areas of human distress and suffering. In this case, which his works are basically existential in nature is what I also myself find being into, that is, a being-existent in the world, is groping into a similar situation.
For we are indeed placed in a cradle where anxiety and despair are but a common notion to all who experience the misery of life. The angst that Kierkegaard depicts in this experience is what exists as a part of being able to cope up with life?s agony, a part of muddling through with the necessities that it expects of us to accomplish while we are still confused and dreary of our situation. And while this is something more to undertake like a gargantuan task of uncovering the truth, the whole process only shakes up our faith and belief in hope as well as the infinite possibilities that is God.
and related texts.
oExistentialism and Theism; Kierkegaard?s Contribution to Existentialism.
oDavid J. Gouwens; Kierkegaard as a Religious Thinker.
oThe Purity of Heart; Upbuilding Discourses at Various Spirits.
oSoren Kierkegaard; Fear and Trembling.
oSoren Kierkegaard; Despair is the Sickness Unto Death.
oThe Sickness Unto Death; Existentialism and Theism; Kierkegaard?s Contribution of Existentialism.
oThe Anatomy of Suffering; Becoming Christian II; Kierkegaard as a Religious Thinker.
oDespair as Hopelessness; Kierkegaard as a Religious Thinker.
oThe Dialectic of Hope; Kierkegaard as a Religious Thinker.