Scan barcode
A review by hades9stages
Fear and Trembling by Søren Kierkegaard
3.0
Fear and Trembling is a philosophical work by Søren Kierkegaard, a Danish philosopher, theologian, and writer who lived from 1813 to 1855. He is regarded as one of the founders of existentialism and a significant figure in the development of modern philosophy.
Kierkegaard's philosophy is characterised by his critique of the prevailing Hegelian philosophy of his time and his emphasis on the individual's subjective experience, faith, and the nature of existence. He explored the concept of individuality, the struggle between faith and reason, and the significance of personal choice in the face of societal norms and religious beliefs.
Fear and Trembling, published in 1843 under the pseudonym Johannes de Silentio, is one of Kierkegaard's most influential and famous works. The book focuses on the biblical story of Abraham and Isaac, examining the ethical implications of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac as a test of faith.
Kierkegaard explores the paradox of faith, using the story of Abraham as a central metaphor. He questions whether there can be a higher ethical duty that transcends conventional moral norms and whether it is possible to understand or justify Abraham's actions through reason alone. Kierkegaard introduces the concept of the teleological suspension of the ethical, suggesting that true faith may require individuals to act in ways that defy conventional morality but align with a higher religious or divine imperative.
The book delves into the tension between ethical principles and religious commitment, challenging the reader to consider the complexities of faith and the limitations of human understanding when faced with moral dilemmas.
I admire Kierkegaard's exploration of the individual's subjective experience and the significance of personal choice, as well as his emphasis on the importance of subjective truth and existential angst.
You have to be critical of his portrayal of women and his conservative views on gender roles. The patriarchal notions present in Kierkegaard's philosophy is quite noticeable.
This book has very intense and complex prose. Kierkegaard's intricate and often convoluted writing style, filled with philosophical musings and dense theological concepts, was daunting and challenging for me to read. The intricate nature of the text, filled with layers of philosophical abstraction, overwhelmed me, detracting from the book's intended meaning.
The book's intensely introspective nature, as it delves into the ethical and religious implications of Abraham's faith, has also been perceived as overly preoccupied with theological abstraction. I didn’t really think about this while reading it, but while I do understand the ideas the book is trying to make, I’m not at all familiar with what it feels like to be religious or to question faith in God. So for me specifically, that made it difficult to connect the philosophical ideas to my own lived experiences and therefore fully appreciate this work.
Kierkegaard's highly individualistic and subjective approach to faith and morality has been criticised for its potential to alienate readers who do not share the same religious or philosophical perspective. This is probably exactly what happened to me when I read this book.
Kierkegaard's philosophy is characterised by his critique of the prevailing Hegelian philosophy of his time and his emphasis on the individual's subjective experience, faith, and the nature of existence. He explored the concept of individuality, the struggle between faith and reason, and the significance of personal choice in the face of societal norms and religious beliefs.
Fear and Trembling, published in 1843 under the pseudonym Johannes de Silentio, is one of Kierkegaard's most influential and famous works. The book focuses on the biblical story of Abraham and Isaac, examining the ethical implications of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac as a test of faith.
Kierkegaard explores the paradox of faith, using the story of Abraham as a central metaphor. He questions whether there can be a higher ethical duty that transcends conventional moral norms and whether it is possible to understand or justify Abraham's actions through reason alone. Kierkegaard introduces the concept of the teleological suspension of the ethical, suggesting that true faith may require individuals to act in ways that defy conventional morality but align with a higher religious or divine imperative.
The book delves into the tension between ethical principles and religious commitment, challenging the reader to consider the complexities of faith and the limitations of human understanding when faced with moral dilemmas.
I admire Kierkegaard's exploration of the individual's subjective experience and the significance of personal choice, as well as his emphasis on the importance of subjective truth and existential angst.
You have to be critical of his portrayal of women and his conservative views on gender roles. The patriarchal notions present in Kierkegaard's philosophy is quite noticeable.
This book has very intense and complex prose. Kierkegaard's intricate and often convoluted writing style, filled with philosophical musings and dense theological concepts, was daunting and challenging for me to read. The intricate nature of the text, filled with layers of philosophical abstraction, overwhelmed me, detracting from the book's intended meaning.
The book's intensely introspective nature, as it delves into the ethical and religious implications of Abraham's faith, has also been perceived as overly preoccupied with theological abstraction. I didn’t really think about this while reading it, but while I do understand the ideas the book is trying to make, I’m not at all familiar with what it feels like to be religious or to question faith in God. So for me specifically, that made it difficult to connect the philosophical ideas to my own lived experiences and therefore fully appreciate this work.
Kierkegaard's highly individualistic and subjective approach to faith and morality has been criticised for its potential to alienate readers who do not share the same religious or philosophical perspective. This is probably exactly what happened to me when I read this book.