University of Tehran Press Philosophy of Religion 2008-7063 23 1 2026 03 02 The Relationship between Kierkegaard's Existentialis Thoughts and His Voluntarist Attitude The Relationship between Kierkegaard's Existentialis Thoughts and His Voluntarist Attitude 31 44 105698 10.22059/jpht.2026.403657.1006148 FA Mohammad Hossein Mirderikvandi Department of Philosophy of Religion, Imam Khomeini Educational and Research Institute, Qom, Iran Alireza Kermani Department of Mysticism, Imam Khomeini Educational and Research Institute, Qom, Iran Journal Article 2025 10 19 This study explores the reciprocal relationship between Søren Kierkegaard’s anthropological foundations and his will‑centered, faith‑based philosophy. As the founder of Christian existentialism, Kierkegaard portrays the human being as a dual entity—material and spiritual—endowed with genuine individuality, freedom of choice, and no predetermined nature, yet marked by existential contradiction and anxiety. These features constitute the essential groundwork for his voluntaristic conception of faith: a faith in which reason remains confined to the objective domain, while entry into the religious sphere occurs through a “leap” and an act of voluntary commitment. Conversely, several aspects of Kierkegaard’s anthropology are themselves shaped by his faith perspective, including his emphasis on inwardness and self‑reflection, the suspension of morality and reason before divine revelation, and the reinterpretation of fear as a condition for embracing truths that defy rational explanation. The findings indicate that Kierkegaard’s view of humanity and faith are mutually constitutive, forming an interactive and overlapping relationship that underlies the coherence of his existential philosophy. This interdependence transforms his thought into an integrated system in which anthropology and theology continually inform and sustain one another. This study explores the reciprocal relationship between Søren Kierkegaard’s anthropological foundations and his will‑centered, faith‑based philosophy. As the founder of Christian existentialism, Kierkegaard portrays the human being as a dual entity—material and spiritual—endowed with genuine individuality, freedom of choice, and no predetermined nature, yet marked by existential contradiction and anxiety. These features constitute the essential groundwork for his voluntaristic conception of faith: a faith in which reason remains confined to the objective domain, while entry into the religious sphere occurs through a “leap” and an act of voluntary commitment. Conversely, several aspects of Kierkegaard’s anthropology are themselves shaped by his faith perspective, including his emphasis on inwardness and self‑reflection, the suspension of morality and reason before divine revelation, and the reinterpretation of fear as a condition for embracing truths that defy rational explanation. The findings indicate that Kierkegaard’s view of humanity and faith are mutually constitutive, forming an interactive and overlapping relationship that underlies the coherence of his existential philosophy. This interdependence transforms his thought into an integrated system in which anthropology and theology continually inform and sustain one another. https://jpht.ut.ac.ir/article_105698_d112fc62d11d680a19a6588a0196fdea.pdf