Teacher’s Note: This article delves into Søren Kierkegaard’s concept of the “Knight of Faith,” contrasting it with the “Knight of Infinite Resignation.” While the latter accepts harsh realities through logic, the Knight of Faith believes in the impossible, exemplified by Abraham’s biblical story. Kierkegaard’s exploration challenges us to consider faith’s role beyond reason and ethical norms, offering a profound perspective on trust and belief.
The Knight of Faith: Kierkegaard’s Vision of Ultimate Trust
In the realm of philosophy and faith, few concepts are as intriguing and challenging as Søren Kierkegaard’s “Knight of Faith.” This Danish philosopher, known for his deep explorations of human existence and belief, introduced us to this powerful idea that continues to captivate thinkers and believers alike.
Imagine, if you will, a medieval knight. Not just any knight, but one who faces battles not of the sword, but of the soul. This is the image Kierkegaard invites us to consider as we delve into his concept of faith and resignation.
Kierkegaard presents us with two types of knights: the Knight of Infinite Resignation and the Knight of Faith. Both face daunting challenges, but their responses couldn’t be more different.
The Knight of Infinite Resignation is a figure we might find easier to understand. When faced with an impossible situation, this knight uses reason and logic to accept the reality of their circumstances. They resign themselves to the impossibility of their desires, becoming a tragic hero in the eyes of others. We might pity this knight, admiring their strength in accepting a harsh reality.
But it’s the Knight of Faith who truly captures Kierkegaard’s imagination – and challenges ours. This knight does something that seems utterly absurd: they believe in the impossible. In the face of all logic and reason, the Knight of Faith maintains an unshakeable trust that things will work out, even when there’s no rational basis for this belief.
To illustrate this, Kierkegaard tells us a story of a knight who loves a princess. In the rigid social structure of their world, their union is impossible. The Knight of Infinite Resignation would accept this fact, perhaps with great sorrow, but with final acceptance. The Knight of Faith, however, believes against all odds that he will marry the princess. This belief isn’t based on any change in circumstances or new information – it’s a leap of faith into the absurd.
But Kierkegaard’s ultimate example of the Knight of Faith is Abraham from the biblical story. God commands Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac. This request flies in the face of everything Abraham understands about morality, about God’s promises, about his love for his son. Yet Abraham sets out to obey, believing somehow that things will work out well, even though he can’t possibly understand how.
This is what Kierkegaard calls the “teleological suspension of the ethical.” It’s a fancy way of saying that Abraham sets aside normal ethical rules because of his faith in a higher purpose. Under normal circumstances, we’d consider Abraham’s actions horrific. But Kierkegaard argues that Abraham’s faith elevates him above our normal ethical judgments.
To further illustrate this concept, the author compares Abraham to Nephi, a figure from the Book of Mormon. Nephi, too, is commanded by God to kill – in his case, a man named Laban. But there’s a crucial difference: Nephi is given reasons for this action. God explains to Nephi why this deed is necessary. Because there’s a logical explanation, the author argues that Nephi isn’t a true Knight of Faith in Kierkegaard’s sense. Abraham, on the other hand, acts purely on faith, without any rational explanation.
The Knight of Faith, then, is someone who takes a leap into the absurd, trusting completely in outcomes that make no logical sense. This knight can’t be fully understood by others because their actions transcend normal understanding. They face incredibly difficult choices and show a level of trust that’s hard for most of us to fathom.
In the end, while we might not fully understand the Knight of Faith, we can’t help but be awed by their unwavering commitment and trust. Kierkegaard’s concept challenges us to consider the nature of faith itself and the limits of human understanding. It invites us to ponder: In a world that often demands logical explanations, what role is there for faith that transcends reason?
Work Cited
- Kierkegaard, Søren. “Fear and Trembling.” Translated by Alastair Hannay, Penguin Books, 1985.
- “Kierkegaard’s Concept of Faith.” Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/kierkegaard/#Fai.
- “The Life and Influence of Søren Kierkegaard.” Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Soren-Kierkegaard.
- Westphal, Merold. “Becoming a Self: A Reading of Kierkegaard’s Concluding Unscientific Postscript.” Purdue University Press, 1996.
- “Kierkegaard and Faith.” Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, https://iep.utm.edu/kierkegaard-faith/.
