Ethical Silence
Kierkegaard on Communication, Education, and Humility
Abstract
Ethical Silence: Kierkegaard on Communication, Education, andHumility examines a new area of Kierkegaard scholarship: the ethical value of silence. Through exegesis of Kierkegaard’s later writings, works in what is known as his second authorship, Sergia Hay argues that silence is an essential element of his Christian ethics. Starting with an overview of Kierkegaard’s ideas concerning ethics and communication, Hay builds a case for a Kierkegaardian notion of ethical silence by showing how silence contributes to the fulfillment of ethical imperatives by halting chatter, setting the “fundamental tone” for ethical activity, curbing excessive self-love, and providing another mode for educating and expressing love. Most importantly, silence can be used to humble the self and elevate the neighbor, creating conditions of Christian equality. Ethical silence is not the silence of the ineffable or what cannot be said, this is the silence of what can be said but should not.
Schlagworte
communication Søren Kierkegaard philosophy of communication philosophy of education education ethics ethics of silence silence silence and morals humility- 1–4 Introduction 1–4
- 49–60 4 Silence 49–60
- 61–76 5 Ethical Silence 61–76
- 89–98 Conclusion 89–98
- 99–104 Bibliography 99–104
- 105–108 Index 105–108
- 109–109 About the Author 109–109