Teleological Suspension, Abraham, and Existentialism
This paper examines Søren Kierkegaard's concept of the teleological suspension of the ethical through the biblical story of Abraham and Isaac. It analyzes how Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son represents a transcendence of conventional morality in deference to a higher divine command, and connects this idea to Jean-Paul Sartre's existentialist philosophy regarding freedom, purpose, and the human desire to reach toward God. The paper also considers how both Kierkegaard and Sartre emphasized self-awareness, individuality, and inner reflection as essential to authentic human existence.
- Introduction: Abraham's Sacrifice and the Ethical Dilemma: Biblical story raises ethical questions about sacrifice
- Kierkegaard's Teleological Suspension of the Ethical: Kierkegaard interprets Abraham's faith over conventional morality
- Sartre's Existentialism and Human Freedom: Sartre links freedom, purpose, and desire to be God
- Individuality, Inner Reflection, and the Higher Power: Uniqueness achieved through inner awareness over tradition
- Conclusion: Kierkegaard and Sartre on the Inner Self: Both thinkers prioritize inner self and authentic guidance
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What makes this paper effective
- The paper grounds an abstract philosophical concept — teleological suspension — in a concrete, widely recognized narrative, making it accessible to a broad audience.
- It draws a meaningful parallel between Kierkegaard's religious existentialism and Sartre's secular existentialism, showing how both converge on the importance of inner authenticity.
- Direct quotations are used to anchor claims, preventing the analysis from drifting into unsupported assertion.
Key academic technique demonstrated
The paper demonstrates comparative philosophical analysis: it takes two thinkers from different traditions — Kierkegaard's Christian existentialism and Sartre's atheistic existentialism — and finds thematic common ground in their shared emphasis on individuality, freedom, and the rejection of purely external ethical norms. This technique of convergent comparison strengthens the paper's central argument.
Structure breakdown
The paper opens with the biblical narrative of Abraham and Isaac as a framing device, then introduces Kierkegaard's concept of teleological suspension to interpret that narrative. It transitions to Sartre's existentialism to broaden the philosophical context, explores themes of individuality and self-awareness, and concludes by synthesizing both thinkers' views on inner reflection and authentic selfhood. The structure moves from concrete story to abstract theory in a logical progression.
Introduction: Abraham's Sacrifice and the Ethical Dilemma
The story of Abraham and Isaac is known throughout the world. It raises profound questions that continue to challenge philosophers and theologians alike: Why was Abraham willing to sacrifice Isaac? Was this act of obedience tantamount to murder? How could God command Abraham to take the life of his own son? And, underlying all of these questions, what is the essence of existentialism?
As Kierkegaard once stated, "The story of Abraham contains a teleological suspension of the ethical" (McMahon 1). The story of Abraham and Isaac is fundamentally one of sacrifice. Abraham was willing to offer his son's life because God commanded him to do so. Abraham consented to the act — yet God ultimately intervened, providing a lamb in Isaac's place. These circumstances raise urgent ethical questions: Was Abraham committing murder? How could a moral man consent to kill an innocent child on divine command?
These questions can be meaningfully explored through the lens of existentialism. God's dilemma — placed upon Abraham — challenges us to ask whether the command was ethical and whether Abraham could justifiably take a life. Abraham was, by all accounts, a moral man. He believed in God and desired to follow divine orders. Yet how could he be willing to consider ending his son's life? "Is there a higher 'law' above that which the ethical stage may procure?" (McMahon 1).
Works Cited
"Existentialism and Jean-Paul Sartre." Tameri Guide for Writers. http://www.tameri.com/csw/exist/sartre.html
McMahon, C. Matthew. "Teleological Suspensions?" A Puritan's Mind.
Seung-Kee, Lee. "Nietzsche and Kierkegaard." Drew University.
"Soren Kierkegaard (1813–1855) Philosopher." Little Blue Light.
Sartre, Jean-Paul. Being and Nothingness. Trans. Hazel E. Barnes. New York: Philosophical Library, 1956.
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