Kierkegaard's conception of psychology.

Abstract

This article explicates Kierkegaard’s conception of psychology on its own terms and divorced as much as possible from contemporary figurations. His pseudonymous works are of primary focus. It is argued that Kierkegaard presents 2 different psychologies: 1 congruent with his understanding of science as practiced at the beginnings of the age of modernity, and the other his experimenting psychology. These psychologies differ with regard to their modes of psychological observation and are found to also instantiate the Kierkegaardian distinction between objectivity and subjectivity. Moreover, they engender contrasting results and aspire to different levels of understanding and passionate engagement with their intended objects of study. Kierkegaard places introspection and self-analysis as the sine qua non of his psychology and uses psychological information gained from the intensive study of (and engaged interaction with) other individuals to elaborate on the results of introspection. He also provides examples of psychological interventions, one of which can lead to a palliative effect and the liberation of vital energies. These various themes synthesized from his pseudonymous writings are found to be in accordance with other aspects of Kierkegaard’s thought.