Philosophia Reformata 77 (2012) 155–181 THE THINKER AND THE TRUTH BRINGING SØREN KIERKEGAARD IN DISCUSSION WITH REFORMATIONAL PHILOSOPHY Gerrit Glas * In reformational philosophy engagement with Søren Kierkegaard never really did get off to a good start. The present contribution is meant to reintroduce Kierkegaard in reformational philosophical discussions by focusing on the question of truth. How does the thinker as thinker relate to truth and what is the role of the I-self relationship in the search for truth? As working hypothesis it is stated that Kierkegaard’s many subtle analyses of the I-self relation can enrich reformational philosophical thinking about truth, by raising awareness for the intricate inter- twinement between the object (the ‘what’) and the attitude (the ‘how’) of thinking. First, the thesis of indirect communication in the work of some of Kierkegaard’s pseudonymous authors will be investigated, including the question how this thesis affects the search for truth. Second, this thesis is compared with central concepts in reformational thinking, such as the heart, directedness at the Origin, and self- knowledge. Third, a brief review will be given of Climacus’ famous thesis that truth is subjectivity. After this review, the focus finally again shifts toward reformational philosophy, especially the way it has dealt with the religious dynamic in theoretical thought. It is concluded that there are differences in style, emphasis and conceptual ‘framing’ between Kierkegaard and Dooyeweerd, but that there are also many similar concerns and philosophical intuitions, more even than have been acknowledged so far in the literature. Kierkegaardian thinking is helpful in raising awareness of the tensions, ambiguities, and brokenness of our existence, even in the search for truth. 1. Introduction In reformational philosophy engagement with Søren Aabye Kierkegaard (1813- 1855), never really did get off to a good start. This is both remarkable and unfortunate. It is remarkable because thinkers of the calibre of this Danish philosopher are few and far between; it is unfortunate because opportunities for deepening of insight have remained unexplored. The fact that a discussion did not ensue is deplorable, but also understand- able. In reformational circles the Kierkegaard reception took place under an unlucky star. Dooyeweerd, Zuidema and Mekkes considered existentialist philo- sophy as a form of irrationalism and turned to fierce combat against it. In the same period — between the 1930s and the 1950s — reformed theology engaged ___________ * Psychiatrist and professor of philosophy at the Dooyeweerd chair, Department of Philosophy, VU University Amsterdam. E-mail: g.glas@vu.nl. This article is based on a larger manuscript, translated into English by John Kraay, parts of which will appear as Glas (forthcoming). The author thanks Jeroen de Ridder and Suzan ten Heuw for their comments on a previous version of this article.