Kierkegaard and the Rise of Modern Psychology

Sven Hroar Klempe

Jul 2014 · History and Theory of Psychology Book 1 · Transaction Publishers

About this ebook

This book investigates the Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard’s (1813–1855) contributions to our understanding of psychology. In Kierkegaard’s historical context, psychology was challenged from both scientific and philosophical perspectives. Kierkegaard considered psychology a core discipline central to his understanding of metaphysics as well as theology. The first part examines Kierkegaard and experimental psychology, focusing on Kierkegaard’s work explicitly referring to psychology. The second part considers psychology in terms of the German Enlightenment, including Kant’s rejection of psychology as a science. The third part discusses how to understand Kierkegaard’s psychology today, calling attention to his continuing impact on modern psychology and modern science. Kierkegaard’s conception of psychology remains relevant for any discussion of the role of today’s psychology. In tracing psychology’s evolution after Kant and Kierkegaard, the author finds the discipline has followed two main paths. The dominant path follows Kant’s ideals about science, while the other, much narrower trail, has its origin in Kierkegaard.

About the author

Sven Hroar Klempe is associate professor of psychology at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway. Jaan Valsiner is editor of Transaction's History and Theory of Psychology series.