Søren Kierkegaard and the Philosophy of Mind

Klaus Viertbauer

Søren Kierkegaard (1813–1855) is widely recognised as a Danish intellectual giant, Christian philosopher, and the father of existentialism. But can he contribute to contemporary debates in the philosophy of mind? This and related questions are explored in an upcoming monograph by the Austrian philosopher Klaus Viertbauer. In the first part of the book, Viertbauer reconstructs the philosophy of mind, arguing that attempts to naturalise free will, qualia, or self-consciousness remain unfulfilled. In the second part, he engages with Kierkegaard, decontextualising his ideas from The Sickness Unto Death and reinterpreting them as a critique of the naturalisation of self-consciousness.

Klaus Viertbauer (b. 1985) studied philosophy, Catholic theology, and religious education in Salzburg and Vienna. He holds PhDs in both philosophy and theology. Currently, he is an Associate Professor at the University of Weingarten in Germany.

This event is being held in-person and online. Zoom link for online attendees: https://deakin.zoom.us/j/81288506863?pwd=z50ftC9WCPhT7rFFHsntac0UxKgg6b.1&from=addon