Kierkegaard on Understanding and Indirect Communication

Abstract

<p>Difficult and important interpretative problems arise in a careful reading of Kierkegaard's texts that do not normally arise in reading the texts of authors who go about their writing in a more direct and straightforward. These difficulties are occasioned by Kierkegaard's tactical employment of indirect communication. Indirect communication forces a reader to assume an active and participatory role in the reading of texts. It solicits a special kind of understanding. The kind of understanding it solicits requires effort and concern.</p> <p>In this thesis Kierkegaard's point of view on understanding is explicated and applied in a reading of his texts. Indirect communication comes into its proper light when thought of as a stratedgy for bringing this sort of understanding about for a given reader. Kierkegaard's views on understanding are used to explain his employment of indirect communication and his views on indirect communication are used to explain his very interesting point of view on understanding.</p>