Kierkegaard often uses this term in the context of “personal appropriation,” or the process of making the content of Christianity one’s own so that it informs one’s life and actions. Kierkegaard opposes this to a superficial or external religiosity.

Kierkegaard’s use of this term derives from Hegel, where it denotes the synthesis of two opposing forces or ideas. Kierkegaard implies that Hegelian thinkers try to “explain” Christianity by resolving its demands and paradoxes, which only succeeds in destroying the essence of Christianity.

“Objectivity” and “subjectivity” constitute an important dichotomy in the book. Objectivity is the attitude of not being influenced by personal feelings—being unbiased or intellectually disinterested. For Kierkegaard, objectivity forms the basis of modern Hegelian philosophy, which he opposes because it negates passion or personal interest in the subject of philosophy—ultimately, God and eternal happiness.