Kierkegaard and Socrates: A Study in Philosophy and Faith

by Jacob Howland

This volume is a study of the relationship between philosophy and faith in Søren Kierkegaard’s Philosophical Fragments. It is also the first book to examine the role of Socrates in this body of writings and it illuminates the significance of Socrates for Kierkegaard’s thought in general. Jacob Howland argues that in the Fragments, philosophy and faith are closely related passions. A careful examination of the role of Socrates in Fragments demonstrates that Socratic, philosophical eros opens up a path to faith. At the same time, the work of faith-- which holds the self together with that which transcends it, the finite with the infinite, and one’s life in time with eternity―is essentially erotic in the Socratic sense of the term. Chapters on Kierkegaard’s Johannes Climacus and on Plato’s Apology and related dialogues shed light on the Socratic character of the pseudonymous author of the Fragments and the role of “the god” in Socrates’ pursuit of wisdom. Howland also analyzes the Concluding Unscientific Postscript and Kierkegaard’s reflections on Socrates and Christ in his unpublished papers.

Genres: Philosophy

248 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Ethan Mason · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a newcomer to philosophy and a reader completely unfamiliar with Kierkegaard, I found Kierkegaard and Socrates to be a great read. Howland is able to present Kierkegaard's writing in a digestible way without losing any of his uniqueness or the rigor of his thinking. Furthermore, I found Howland's approach at examining the philosophical hypotheses and the religious hypotheses very helpful. By repeatedly analyzing one, the other, then bringing them together, Howland forms a thorough synthesis of Kierkegaard. At just over 200 pages, I found this book to be a wonderful introduction to Kierkegaard, and Howland's interpretation and commentary add a greatly appreciated guide for the reader to form their own thoughts against.