It is easy to see, though it scarcely needs to be pointed…
“It is easy to see, though it scarcely needs to be pointed out, since it is involved in the fact that Reason is set aside, that faith is not a form of knowledge; for all knowledge is either a knowledge of the eternal, excluding the temporal and historical as indifferent, or it is pure historical knowledge. No knowledge can have for its object the absurdity that the eternal is the historical.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Kierkegaard distinguishes between eternal, timeless knowledge and historical, temporal knowledge, arguing faith is not knowledge because it deals with the eternal beyond factual proof.
In simple terms: Faith deals with eternal truths, not factual proof.
Key Takeaway
Recognize limits of rational proof for faith.
Themes
faith
knowledge
eternity
reason
Mood
contemplative
serious
Type
philosophical
reflective
When to use this quote
- personal belief
- philosophical debate
- religious practice
- academic study
Key Concepts
epistemology
existentialism
theology
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you reconcile faith with evidence?
- Can eternal truths be known without reason?
A Different Perspective
Faith may resist empirical scrutiny, leading to conflict with scientific perspectives.