Søren Kierkegaard - Subjectivity, Irony and the Crisis of Modernity Course

Editorial Take

Offered by the University of Copenhagen on Coursera, this course delves into Søren Kierkegaard’s philosophical response to the erosion of meaning in modern life. It provides a rare opportunity to engage with existential themes through one of history’s most introspective thinkers.

Standout Strengths

• Philosophical Depth: The course unpacks Kierkegaard’s dense ideas with remarkable clarity, making complex concepts like 'truth as subjectivity' accessible without oversimplification. It bridges historical context and modern relevance effectively.
• Existential Relevance: By linking Kierkegaard’s critique to contemporary feelings of alienation and meaninglessness, the course resonates with modern learners. It transforms 19th-century philosophy into a mirror for today’s spiritual anxieties.
• Structured Progression: Modules are thoughtfully sequenced, moving from modernity’s crisis to despair and selfhood. Each builds on the last, helping learners develop a coherent understanding of Kierkegaard’s worldview.
• Engagement with Primary Texts: The course draws directly from Kierkegaard’s works, including 'The Sickness Unto Death' and 'Concluding Unscientific Postscript'. This fosters authentic engagement with original philosophical arguments.
• Academic Rigor: Delivered by a reputable European university, the course maintains scholarly standards while remaining approachable. Lectures are well-researched and intellectually honest in their interpretations.
• Reflective Learning: Encourages introspection and personal connection to philosophical ideas. Learners are prompted to consider how existential concepts apply to their own lives, enhancing retention and impact.

Honest Limitations

• Limited Interactivity: The course relies heavily on video lectures and readings, with minimal interactive components. Those seeking discussion forums or peer feedback may find the format passive and less engaging over time.
• Niche Appeal: Its focus on 19th-century existential philosophy may not attract learners seeking practical or career-oriented outcomes. The abstract nature of content can feel disconnected from everyday applications.
• Assumes Philosophical Interest: While accessible, the course presumes a baseline curiosity about philosophy or theology. Beginners without prior exposure may struggle with terminology and conceptual density early on.
• Dated Contextualization: The course does not deeply integrate Kierkegaard’s ideas with contemporary philosophical debates or global perspectives. A more comparative approach could have broadened its intellectual scope.

How to Get the Most Out of It

• Study cadence: Dedicate 3–4 hours weekly with spaced repetition. Revisit lectures after reading assignments to reinforce understanding of nuanced arguments and existential themes.
• Parallel project: Keep a personal journal reflecting on how Kierkegaard’s ideas relate to your experiences of choice, faith, or despair. This deepens engagement beyond academic analysis.
• Note-taking: Use concept mapping to visualize relationships between irony, subjectivity, and despair. This helps clarify abstract philosophical structures across modules.
• Community: Join Coursera discussion boards to exchange interpretations of Kierkegaard’s pseudonyms and indirect communication. Peer insights can illuminate ambiguous passages.
• Practice: Apply Kierkegaardian questions to real-life decisions—'What am I passionate about?' or 'Am I living authentically?'—to ground theory in practice.
• Consistency: Maintain a steady pace; falling behind can make re-entry difficult due to cumulative conceptual demands. Weekly reflection sustains momentum.

Supplementary Resources

• Book: 'Fear and Trembling' by Kierkegaard offers a powerful companion text, illustrating faith and ethical paradox through the story of Abraham.
• Tool: Use Perusall or Hypothesis for collaborative annotation of philosophical texts, enhancing comprehension through shared marginalia.
• Follow-up: Explore Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy entries on existentialism and 19th-century religious thought for deeper context.
• Reference: 'The Cambridge Companion to Kierkegaard' provides scholarly essays that expand on themes introduced in the course.

Common Pitfalls

• Pitfall: Treating Kierkegaard as purely literary or theological without grasping his philosophical method. This leads to misreading irony and pseudonymous authorship as mere style rather than strategy.
• Pitfall: Expecting clear answers or prescriptive guidance. Kierkegaard emphasizes questioning and inwardness—success lies in embracing uncertainty, not resolving it.
• Pitfall: Skipping readings to rely solely on lectures. The videos summarize, but true insight comes from engaging directly with Kierkegaard’s layered prose.

Time & Money ROI

• Time: At 8 weeks with 3–4 hours per week, the time investment is moderate and manageable for working adults seeking intellectual enrichment.
• Cost-to-value: As a paid course, it offers solid value for learners committed to philosophy, though less so for those wanting job-ready skills. The price reflects academic quality but may deter casual learners.
• Certificate: The credential holds symbolic weight for personal growth but limited professional utility. It's best used as a learning milestone, not a career differentiator.
• Alternative: Free philosophy podcasts or MOOCs on existentialism may suffice for casual interest, but this course provides structured, university-backed depth.

Editorial Verdict

This course stands out as a rare and valuable offering in the realm of online philosophy education. It successfully translates Kierkegaard’s challenging ideas into an accessible format without sacrificing depth. The University of Copenhagen delivers a well-organized, intellectually stimulating experience that invites learners to confront fundamental questions about self, meaning, and modern existence. While it won’t appeal to everyone, those drawn to existential inquiry will find it deeply rewarding. The lectures are clear, the structure logical, and the thematic focus tightly aligned with Kierkegaard’s enduring relevance.

However, its strengths are also its constraints. The very specificity that makes it compelling—its focus on subjectivity, irony, and spiritual crisis—limits its practical applicability and broad appeal. The lack of interactive elements and career-oriented outcomes means it serves best as a personal development journey rather than a skills-building program. For learners seeking transformative insight over tangible credentials, this course delivers. But for those wanting immediate utility or diverse philosophical perspectives, alternatives may be more suitable. Ultimately, it earns its place as a thoughtful, well-executed exploration of one of modernity’s most perceptive critics—offering not answers, but better questions.