Take away paradox from the thinker and you have a professor

Take away paradox from the thinker and you have a professor

Soren Kierkegaard, a Danish philosopher, theologian, and poet, is known for his profound and often paradoxical thoughts on life, faith, and existence. One of his famous quotes is, “Take away paradox from the thinker and you have a professor.” This statement encapsulates Kierkegaard’s belief in the importance of embracing the complexities and contradictions of human experience.

In Kierkegaard’s view, a thinker who is devoid of paradox is merely a professor – someone who imparts knowledge and information without delving into the deeper questions and mysteries of existence. A professor may be well-versed in a particular subject, but they lack the depth and insight that comes from grappling with the inherent contradictions and uncertainties of life.

Paradoxes are inherent in the human experience – we are both finite and infinite, free yet bound by our circumstances, capable of great love and profound suffering. Kierkegaard believed that it is through embracing these paradoxes that we can truly understand ourselves and our place in the world. By confronting the contradictions and tensions within ourselves, we can gain a deeper insight into the complexities of human existence.

For Kierkegaard, paradoxes are not to be avoided or resolved, but rather embraced and explored. They are a source of richness and depth in our understanding of the world. By engaging with paradoxes, we are forced to confront our own limitations and uncertainties, leading to a greater sense of humility and openness to the mysteries of life.