Kierkegaard's Psychological Explanation of Moral Sense and Moral Courage

Abstract

Kierkegaard's view of moral sense and moral courage has important implications for psychology. Moral sense is embedded in the existential act of choosing which in turn resides in the 'psyche'. Courage is an act of the will and of passion. Kierkegaard distinguishes between the aesthetical, ethical and religious stages of existence. Courage operates especially on the ethical and religious levels. The highest form of courage is religious courage, because it requires that the believer accept the unacceptable. Examples of Kierkegaard's influence in classical psychology are discussed and finally reasons are offered why Kierkegaard's way of thinking could contribute to contemporary psychology.