The Quotable Kierkegaard

by Søren Kierkegaard

Søren Kierkegaard was a Danish philosopher, theologian, poet, social critic and religious author who is widely considered to be the first existentialist philosopher. He wrote critical texts on organized religion, Christendom, morality, ethics, psychology, and the philosophy of religion, displaying a fondness for metaphor, irony and parables. Much of his philosophical work deals with the issues of how one lives as a “single individual”, giving priority to concrete human reality over abstract thinking and highlighting the importance of personal choice and commitment. He was against literary critics who defined idealist intellectuals and philosophers of his time, and thought that Swedenborg, Hegel, Goethe, Fichte, Schelling, Schlegel and Hans Christian Andersen were all “understood” far too quickly by “scholars”.

Genres: Philosophy

132 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Søren Aabye Kierkegaard was a prolific 19th century Danish philosopher and theologian. Kierkegaard strongly criticised both the Hegelianism of his time and what he saw as the empty formalities of the Church of Denmark. Much of his work deals with religious themes such as faith in God, the institution of the Christian Church, Christian ethics and theology, and the emotions and feelings of individuals when faced with life choices. His early work was written under various pseudonyms who present their own distinctive viewpoints in a complex dialogue.

Kierkegaard left the task of discovering the meaning of his works to the reader, because "the task must be made difficult, for only the difficult inspires the noble-hearted". Scholars have interpreted Kierkegaard variously as an existentialist, neo-orthodoxist, postmodernist, humanist, and individualist.

Crossing the boundaries of philosophy, theology, psychology, and literature, he is an influential figure in contemporary thought.

Reviews

[anja ❀ · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Ah, it is much easier to look to the right and to the left than to look into oneself, much easier to haggle and bargain just as it is also much easier to underbid than to be silent - but the more difficult is still the one thing needful."

a comprehensive introduction into all that is kierkegaard! organized into parts very well, and although somewhat repetitive at times, it serves its purpose effectively. now i know which works of his to focus on in further reading and which ones would be less of my cup of tea.

[Glen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some repetitions in the editing, but wonderful, thought provoking, and enlightening.

[Carla · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great organization by subject matter. I read this due to loving the structure and eloquence of his writing. Not the most interesting of reads, but a good jump around book.

[Ecaterina Leonte · Rating 1 out of 5]

Absolutely useless. Poorly edited, several repeated quotes, randomly "ordered". The most confusing was the fact that the editor sometimes mentions the source of the quote, other times (most of the times) he doesn't. So if I'm drawn to a particular quote, I have no idea which book/ essay it came from.