Cosmos and History: The Journal of Natural and Social Philosophy, vol. 13, no. 1, 2017 www.cosmosandhistory.org 114 THE NATURE OF MARRIAGE IN THE ETHICAL STANDPOINT OF KIERKEGAARD’S EITHER/OR AND CONNECTIONS TO FICHTE Prabhu Venkataraman ABSTRACT: I present a detailed study and comparison of the views on marriage of J. G. Fichte and Søren Kierkegaard, showing both what they have in common and where they differ. I argue that, despite claims in recent scholarship that Fichte was the historical model for Kierkegaard’s ethical standpoint in Either/Or, there are crucial differences between them, and hence that Kierkegaard’s views on marriage must be appreciated as original and important, even if influenced by Fichte. KEYWORDS: Kierkegaard; Fichte; Marriage in Kierkegaard; Either/Or I. INTRODUCTION The primary purpose of this paper is to retrieve the deep insights on the nature of marriage by two profound philosophers, J. G. Fichte and Søren Kierkegaard. Their accounts are opposed to the understanding of marriage as a matter of contracts on utilitarian grounds. The institution of marriage is in crisis in the United States, though the reasons for this are no doubt varied and complex. 1 Defenders of marriage have touted its benefits: marriage provides an escape from poverty for single young mothers, it forces young fathers to take more responsibility, it contributes positively to the health and wealth of both parties to the marriage, it keeps adult men from committing crime and their children from becoming delinquents. 2 Researchers have even touted the benefits of marriage to one’s sex life: those who are married have sex more often than 1 For some helpful statistics on the changes in the demographics of marriage, see Finkel, Hui, Carswell, & Larson 2014, p. 6 2 Gerstel & Sarkisian 2006, p. 16