[SarikayaKomzin]

I highly recommend Either/Or. At the very least sample a bit of each section (the Either and Or respectively).

It’s a witty and oftentimes paradoxical ride, and, because of Kierkegaard’s use of pseudonyms, you’ll be hard pressed to really put your finger on what he believes. But that’s all part of the fun!

“Marry, and you will regret it; don’t marry, you will also regret it; marry or don’t marry, you will regret it either way. Laugh at the world’s foolishness, you will regret it; weep over it, you will regret that too; laugh at the world’s foolishness or weep over it, you will regret both. Believe a woman, you will regret it; believe her not, you will also regret it… Hang yourself, you will regret it; do not hang yourself, and you will regret that too; hang yourself or don’t hang yourself, you’ll regret it either way; whether you hang yourself or do not hang yourself, you will regret both. This, gentlemen, is the essence of all philosophy.“ — Kierkegaard, “Either/Or.”

Forewarning: in my opinion, Kierkegaard falls into that class of writers whose readers are too frequently obsessed with their pessimism, so much so that they miss the greater point. Much like Nietzsche or even Edward Gibbon, Kierkegaard’s central theses are much grander than trite pessimism and nihilism. I hope you see that and enjoy his works.

[OnACoffeeBreak]

What about responsibility? If every way is arbitrary and regretful and therefore meaningless, would responsibility be a meaningful guide?

I'm getting divorced, and, if it were just the old lady and me, either choice leads to regret, which I can accept. But our children are not at fault, so, regardless of whether I regret the choice, I'm bound by responsibility to be there for them regardless of regret.

[SarikayaKomzin]

As I mentioned in the original comment, it’s often hard to tell what Kierkegaard actually believed if you’re not well versed in all his work, but I’m fairly certain that quote is a bit facetious. I added it as an example of his playful style of writing in Either/Or. He’s mocking Hegelian dialectical thought, but I think also making a point that those conclusions are easy to make, but ultimately unhelpful.

From Wikipedia, so take it how you will:

“This process of reconciliation leads to a "both/and" view of life, where both thesis and antithesis are resolved into a synthesis, which negates the importance of personal responsibility and the human choice of either/or. The work Either/Or is a response to this aspect of Hegel's philosophy. A passage from that work exemplifies Kierkegaard's contempt for Hegel's philosophy. Note the comparison between "A" and "B" (Judge Vilhelm) in Either/Or and Stages on Life's Way.”

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philosophy_of_Søren_Kierkega...

For Kierkegaard it was about a “leap of faith” (religious in his view, yes, but certainly applicable to a non religious context, too). You don’t need to waste time trying to solve metaphysical questions with rationality (unless it’s for your own personal enjoyment, of course).

The Buddha also says it well in the Parable of the Poison Arrow:

“ The Buddha always told his disciples not to waste their time and energy in metaphysical speculation. Whenever he was asked a metaphysical question, he remained silent. Instead, he directed his disciples toward practical efforts. Questioned one day about the problem of the infinity of the world, the Buddha said, "Whether the world is finite or infinite, limited or unlimited, the problem of your liberation remains the same." Another time he said, "Suppose a man is struck by a poisoned arrow and the doctor wishes to take out the arrow immediately. Suppose the man does not want the arrow removed until he knows who shot it, his age, his parents, and why he shot it. What would happen? If he were to wait until all these questions have been answered, the man might die first." Life is so short. It must not be spent in endless metaphysical speculation that does not bring us any closer to the truth.” https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parable_of_the_Poisoned_Arro...

[scandinavegan]

Thank you for writing this comment, and especially the Buddha quote. I hadn't read that before, and it's very thought-provoking.

[SarikayaKomzin]

No, thank you for reading my rambling. I’m glad you got something out of it!

[throwaway98797]

Nihilism absolves of that weight. Likewise, pride of self goes with it. Good or bad...and what ought to be only angels know.

[SarikayaKomzin]

In my opinion, nihilism is a problem, not an solution. That is to say, it isn’t something that can be “believed in”. Embracing it is ultimately paradoxical.