Kierkegaard Quote by Scott Atran
““Everybody, whether they are religious or not, implicitly knows that religion is costly, counterfactual, and even counterintuitive. The more one accepts what is materially false to be really true, and the more one spends material resources in displays of such acceptance, the more others consider one’s faith deep and one’s commitment sincere. For the moral philosopher and Christian votary Søren Kierkegaard, true faith could be motivated only by “a gigantic passion” to commit to the “absurd.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Social Mind, Scott Atran, 2009
Faith often appears costly and irrational, yet the willingness to invest resources and endure absurdity signals deep sincerity to observers.
In simple terms: People see costly, irrational devotion as true belief.
Key Takeaway
Show sincere commitment through meaningful sacrifice.
Themes
faith
cost
irrationality
authenticity
Mood
reflective
critical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
analytical
observational
When to use this quote
- religious rituals
- political activism
- personal convictions
- community building
Key Concepts
social signaling
commitment
absurdity
Questions to Reflect On
- What does your own costly commitment reveal about you?
- How can we distinguish genuine faith from performative displays?
A Different Perspective
Costly displays can be exploited for manipulation or social pressure.
