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Kierkegaard Fear and Trembling

Authors

Kierkegaard: Fear and Trembling - Summary

Overview

  • Title: Fear and Trembling
  • Author: Søren Kierkegaard
  • Series: Cambridge Texts in the History of Philosophy
  • Main Theme: Exploration of faith and morality through the biblical story of Abraham and Isaac.

Key Concepts

  1. Paradox of Faith: Kierkegaard presents faith as a paradox beyond rational understanding and conventional morality.
  2. Abraham's Dilemma: The book deeply analyzes Abraham's moral and religious conflict in deciding whether to sacrifice his son Isaac as commanded by God.
  3. Critique of Universalist Ethics: The author challenges the prevailing ethical views of his time, particularly those of Kant and Hegel.
  4. Absolute Duty to God: The concept that an individual's duty to God can transcend societal norms and personal ethics.

Important Questions

  • Was Abraham's proposed action justified?
  • Can faith be fully understood and rationalized?
  • How does Kierkegaard's view differ from traditional Christian interpretations?

Analysis

  • Kierkegaard uses the story of Abraham to delve into complex philosophical and theological issues.
  • His perspective is critical of the contemporary philosophical landscape, especially German idealism.
  • The narrative is both a philosophical and poetic exploration of faith, sacrifice, and duty.

Conclusion

  • "Fear and Trembling" is a seminal work in understanding Kierkegaard's philosophy of religion and existentialism.
  • It challenges readers to consider the nature of faith, ethics, and our duties to a higher power.
  • The book remains a significant contribution to philosophical and religious studies.