Kierkegaard's Ethical Dilemmas

The main ethical problem facing Abraham is his willingness to kill his son, Isaac. This problem results from the lack of insight about Abrahams emotions. Kierkegaard addresses this problem by comparing him to a tragic hero and a murderer. Although he does not fit either category completely, his actions fall into both categories. According to Kierkegaard a tragic hero “gives up the certain for still more certain and the eye of the beholder rests upon him confidently.” Unlike the tragic hero, Abraham has no idea what is going to happen once he gives up his son. Maybe his actions were out of fear of what wouldn’t happen. Ultimately, whatever he chose to do the reaction would be uncertain. No one knows what God is thinking or planning. Abrahams