Lessing, Kierkegaard, and the "Ugly Ditch": A Reexamination

Abstract

Thanks largely Kierkegaard, references Lessing's ugly between the contingent truths of history and the necessary truths of reason have become a permanent part of our theological landscape. Undertaking yet another investigation of the ditch may, use John Austin's expression, be subject to the law of diminishing fleas,3 but a major unclarified issue seems warrant such an investigation. It is well known that Lessing and Kierkegaard respond very differently the ditchwhereas Lessing, due his old legs and heavy head (not mention theological scruples)4 cannot make it across, Kierkegaard goes ahead