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.