Question

What is the distinction that Kierkegaard draws between the aesthetic and the ethical?

a) The aesthetic is focused on individual pleasure and immediate gratification, while the ethical is concerned with universal moral principles and duty.
b) The aesthetic is concerned with artistic expression, while the ethical is centered around religious beliefs.
c) The aesthetic is characterized by subjective, momentary experiences, while the ethical involves commitment to enduring moral principles.
d) The aesthetic and the ethical are synonymous in Kierkegaard's philosophy.

Answer 1

The distinction that Kierkegaard draws between the aesthetic and the ethical is:
c) The aesthetic is characterized by subjective, momentary experiences, while the ethical involves commitment to enduring moral principles.

Step-by-step explanation:

Kierkegaard distinguishes between the aesthetic and the ethical as follows:

• The aesthetic is characterized by a focus on individual pleasure and immediate gratification, often rooted in subjective, momentary experiences. Aesthetic individuals prioritize personal enjoyment and may avoid commitment and moral duty.
• The ethical, on the other hand, involves a commitment to enduring moral principles and duties that transcend individual desires. Ethical individuals prioritize universal moral values and act out of a sense of duty and obligation to others.

Therefore, the correct option is: c) The aesthetic is characterized by subjective, momentary experiences, while the ethical involves commitment to enduring moral principles.