Despair as a Threat to Meaning: Kierkegaard’s Challenge to Objectivist Theories

Hanson, Jeffrey

doi:10.3390/philosophies6040092

Cited by 6 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…The transformation from despair to hope in the life of Shiro is stated through otherness. This is in line with Nesse's perspectives in which paying more attention to others could amend self's bitter past conditions (Hanson, 2021;Nesse, 1999). The main idea is not solely about own self.…”

Section: Beside Internal Matters Situation Ofsupporting

confidence: 80%

“…What is unnatural is people get drawn to it in deeper situation and longer time. It is since despair is not the main reality, neither is hope (Hanson, 2021;Nesse, 1999). Despair is negative emotion and hope is a positive one.…”

Section: Beside Internal Matters Situation Ofmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This also makes such belief that despair could be eroded then moved into hope. (Hanson, 2021;Milona & Stockdale, 2018). The last one is about the moon whom Shiro talks to.…”

Section: Beside Internal Matters Situation Ofmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Transformation of Despair to Hope as Asserted on Ryunosuke Akutagawa’s Shiro

2022

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Psychology in literature is how characters move through relation of body and mind. Shiro is Ryunosuke Akutagawa’s short story about white dog who ignores his friend, Kuro, that being caught. That ignorant deed haunts and makes him try to kill himself but actually he helps many people. One night, he speaks to the moon how he apologizes for everything. Then, how is transformation from despair to hope be asserted on Ryunosuke Akutagawa’s Shiro? Through qualitative method, this writing underlines changing condition of Shiro from having despair to being hopeful. Supported by theory of Randolph M. Nesse, the transformation is reflected when Shiro sees others beside himself. He leaves his loneliness and joins others for happiness. He has paid his debt by supporting others’ lives. In conclusion, Shiro’s denial for not helping Kuro changes when experiencing hope from otherness rather than selfness.

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Section: Beside Internal Matters Situation Ofsupporting

confidence: 80%

Section: Beside Internal Matters Situation Ofmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Transformation of Despair to Hope as Asserted on Ryunosuke Akutagawa’s Shiro

2022

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“…Recent research on meaning in life and authenticity that draws on Kierkegaard suggests the importance of “negative” affects for a rich and complete life ( Hanson, 2021a , b ). For Kierkegaard, meaning in life requires a form of necessary suffering, because the meaning of life derives from the individual’s lifelong effort to attain their own ideal version ( Hanson, 2021a ).…”

Section: Meaning In Life and Sufferingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For Kierkegaard there are forms of necessary suffering that are not pathological in nature ( Hanson, 2021a ). Existential suffering is a hallmark of the complexity of human spiritual-psychological composition ( Hanson, 2021b ). Humans experience anxiety and despair because spiritual beings have spiritual needs, for Kierkegaard.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Suffering, authenticity, and meaning in life: Toward an integrated conceptualization of well-being

Kaftański

Hanson

2022

Front. Psychol.

Self Cite

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Most conceptions of well-being either ignore suffering or assume an ideal version of human life in which suffering would be eliminated. This trend is especially emblematic of positive psychology. Recent research on well-being indicates a mediating function of meaning in life between suffering and well-being demonstrating that making sense of past experiences is significantly correlated with high presence of meaning in life. Hence, meaning-making serves the role of an active coping mechanism that alleviates suffering. This and related strategies of defining, measuring, and augmenting well-being however overlook a form of suffering that is ineliminable and in fact essential to personal growth. In this paper the insights of the existentialist philosopher Søren Kierkegaard are developed to formulate an integrated conceptualization of well-being that regards “negative” affects as crucial for a rich and complete life. The complexity of the relationship between meaning in life, suffering, and authenticity concerning well-being are discussed. A synthetic perspective on the subjective dimension of the experience of suffering and on the objective nature of human limitations that often cause suffering is discussed in relation to the notions of meaning in life and authenticity. Finally, an integrated conceptualization of well-being is posited. It entails suffering as constitutive of meaning in life and authenticity, which are key components of a well-lived life.

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Soren Kierkegaards Existentialism: A Study on the Way of Enjoying Life during Post Truth Era

Saputra,

Ritonga,

Arrasyid

2024

Insaniyat J. of Islam and Humanities

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This study aims to explain the means of deriving enjoyment in life during the Post-Truth era by drawing upon the existentialist values of Soren Kierkegaard. A qualitative approach with a conceptual design was adopted using exploratory, interpretative, and analytical methods. The results showed that individuals were able to derive enjoyment from life during the Post-Truth Era by embracing the following Soren Kierkegaard's existentialism values. First, being oneself; living under the narrative of the heart and mind. Second, being moral; and adhering oneself to universal rules. Third, living a religious life; having a direct connection with God, and being critical of religion. The significance of Soren Kierkegaard's existentialism lies in its emphasis on individuality, freedom, and the search for authentic meaning in life. Kierkegaard's philosophy highlights the importance of subjectivity and individual responsibility in facing a life full of decisions. His concept of existential decision-making stresses conscious choices that reflect awareness and accountability. emphasizing the uniqueness of individuals and the pursuit of life's meaning. This philosophical perspective underscores the critical role of self-awareness, self-development, and personal responsibility in leading a meaningful life. Kierkegaard believes that humans must become authentic selves, which continue without stopping. This is a struggle that must be carried out at all times, so that humans can become the subjects of their lives. Becoming an authentic self is a task that must be held accountable, and individuals have the possibility to realize the enjoyment of life. In Kierkegaard's thought, life is natural and sometimes has a greater sense of significance than life that is not natural. The natural way of life for humans is the way of enjoying life described by Kierkegaard.

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Despair as a Threat to Meaning: Kierkegaard’s Challenge to Objectivist Theories

Cited by 6 publications

References 19 publications

The Transformation of Despair to Hope as Asserted on Ryunosuke Akutagawa’s Shiro

The Transformation of Despair to Hope as Asserted on Ryunosuke Akutagawa’s Shiro

Suffering, authenticity, and meaning in life: Toward an integrated conceptualization of well-being

Soren Kierkegaards Existentialism: A Study on the Way of Enjoying Life during Post Truth Era

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