Journals / Felsefe Arkivi / 2026 / Sayı: 63

Suspended Judgments, Revealed Truths: Kierkegaard and Proto-Phenomenology

Askıya Alınan Yargılar, Açığa Çıkan Hakikatler: Kierkegaard ve Proto-Fenomenoloji

Pages
237–257
Publication Date
2026-01-07
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

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⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

In this sense, a reinterpretation of Kierkegaard’s existential analyses through the conceptual tools and methods of phenomenology opens new horizons of meaning for both phenomenology and the existentialist tradition, and makes it possible to classify Kierkegaard as a proto-phenomenologist, where the subjective and universal dimensions of truth complete each other.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:Existentialism and phenomenology, although emerging from different intellectual backgrounds, share certain conceptual and methodological intersections.
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Key Findings & Data:Although there are different opinions in the international literature regarding whether Kierkegaard can be considered a proto-phenomenologist, this article seeks to demonstrate the similarity of his thought with phenomenology and to offer an alternative reading to the classical interpretation of existentialism.
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Conclusion & Impact:In this sense, a reinterpretation of Kierkegaard’s existential analyses through the conceptual tools and methods of phenomenology opens new horizons of meaning for both phenomenology and the existentialist tradition, and makes it possible to classify Kierkegaard as a proto-phenomenologist, where the subjective and universal dimensions of truth complete each other.
🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Kierkegaard · varoluşçuluk · fenomenoloji

Abstract

Existentialism and phenomenology, although emerging from different intellectual backgrounds, share certain conceptual and methodological intersections. While it is not historically possibble to classify Kierkegaard’s thought under the heading of existential phenomenology, this study examines the intersections between Kierkegaard’s existentialism and Husserl’s phenomenology, aiming to reveal the proto-phenomenological aspects of Kierkegaard’s thinking and to offer a phenomenological perspective on fundamental existential questions. In this context, comparing some of Kierkegaard’s concepts with Husserlian methods not only makes the implicit parallels between the two philosophers’ systems visible but also provides insights into how Kierkegaard’s methodological approach could contribute to contemporary phenomenological debates. Although there are different opinions in the international literature regarding whether Kierkegaard can be considered a proto-phenomenologist, this article seeks to demonstrate the similarity of his thought with phenomenology and to offer an alternative reading to the classical interpretation of existentialism. In this regard, Kierkegaard’s conception of subjective truth does not exclude phenomenological objectivity; many of his concepts resemble Husserl’s epoché, reduction, phantasy variations, and categorial intuition, and his emphasis on existence does not prevent consideration of a phenomenological notion of essence. Although Kierkegaard situates absolute truth within the context of the individual’s relationship with God, this perspective does not preclude the establishment of common ground with Husserl. In this sense, a reinterpretation of Kierkegaard’s existential analyses through the conceptual tools and methods of phenomenology opens new horizons of meaning for both phenomenology and the existentialist tradition, and makes it possible to classify Kierkegaard as a proto-phenomenologist, where the subjective and universal dimensions of truth complete each other.

Özet

Varoluşçuluk ve fenomenoloji, düşünsel olarak farklı kökenlerden doğmalarına rağmen, bazı kavramsal ve yöntemsel kesişimlerle birbirlerinden beslenmektedir. Bununla beraber Kierkegaard’ın düşüncesini varoluşçu fenomenoloji başlığı altında değerlendirmek tarihsel açıdan söz konusu olmasa da bu çalışma Kierkegaard’ın varoluşçuluğu ile Husserl’in fenomenolojisi arasındaki benzerlikleri inceleyerek, Kierkegaard’ın düşünce tarzının proto-fenomenolojik niteliklerini ortaya koymayı ve temel varoluşsal sorulara fenomenolojik bir perspektif sunmayı amaçlamaktadır. Bu bağlamda, Kierkegaard’ın bazı kavramlarının Husserlci yöntemle karşılaştırılması, iki filozofun düşünce sistemlerindeki örtük paralellikleri görünür kılmakla birlikte, Kierkegaard’ın yöntemsel yaklaşımının çağdaş fenomenolojik tartışmalara nasıl katkı sağlayabileceğinin de ipuçlarını vermektedir. Yabancı literatürde Kierkegaard’ın bir proto-fenomenolog olarak kabul edilip edilmeyeceği konusunda farklı görüşler bulunmakla birlikte, bu makale onun düşünce tarzının fenomenolojiye olan yakınlığını ortaya koyarak varoluşçuluğun klasik yorumuna alternatif bir okuma sunmayı hedeflemektedir. Bu bağlamda Kierkegaard’ın öznel hakikat düşüncesinin fenomenolojik nesnellik anlayışını dışlamadığını; onun pek çok kavramının Husserl’in epokhe, indirgeme, hayali çeşitlemeler ve kategoryal görü kavrayışına yakın olduğunu ve Kierkegaard’ın varoluş vurgusunun fenomenolojik bir öz/nelik fikrini düşünmeyi engellemediğini iddia etmeye çalışacağız. Her ne kadar Kierkegaard mutlak hakikati bireyin Tanrı’yla ilişkisi bağlamında konumlandırsa da bu yaklaşım Husserl’le ortak bir zeminin kurulmasını engellememektedir. Bu bağlamda, Kierkegaard’ın varoluşsal çözümlemelerinin fenomenolojinin kavramsal araç ve yöntemiyle yeniden yorumlanması, hem fenomenoloji hem de varoluşçu gelenek açısından yeni bir anlam ufku açmakta; hakikatin öznel ve evrensel boyutlarının birbirini tamamladığı noktada Kierkegaard’ı bir proto-fenomenolog olarak sınıflandırmayı mümkün kılmaktadır.

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Cite This Article

Esenyel, Z. Z., *, Z. Z. E. (2026). Suspended Judgments, Revealed Truths: Kierkegaard and Proto-Phenomenology. Felsefe Arkivi, Sayı: 63, 237–257. https://doi.org/10.26650/10.26650/arcp.1768566

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