Kierkegaard: A Kind of Poet

by Louis MacKey

Soren Aabye Kierkegaard (1813-1855) has traditionally been considered a philosopher or religious thinker. But to himself he was "a kind of poet and thinker." If Kierkegaard, then, writes Louis Mackey, is to be understood, he must be studied with the tools of literary "whatever philosophy there is in Kierkegaard is sacramentally transmitted 'in, with, and under poetry.'""The study of Kierkegaard," states Louis Mackey, "can throw new light on the relationship between philosophy and poetry." In these impressive analyses of Kierkegaard's most important works, a modern philosopher has written a book that is in itself a work of literary grace and distinction.

Genres: Philosophy

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1971

Reviews

[Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the finest secondary source on Kierkegaard I have found. Insofar as Kierkegaard is among the very most difficult authors this is an especially welcome discovery. Mackey's "spin" (that Kierkegaard is a poet primarily) is not particularly convincing, but it doesn't matter, because almost the entirety of the book is devoted to the interpretation of SK's particular works and their relationships with each other. In performing this task, Mackey is brilliant and incredibly clear. Recommended for anyone who wishes to spend time studying Kierkegaard and needs a broad view of the whole of SK's work as well as some incisive readings of particular works and the ideas animating them.

[Ollie Norton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book. Especially in relation to 'Either/Or' and 'Fear and Trembling' in giving analysis. The argument fell apart a little in the final chapter, Mackey's insistence on making all of Kierkegaard's work an expression of some poeticism seemed sometimes to be reaching and sometimes to be doing exactly what Kierkegaard was clearly railing against - systematisation.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

probably the best single volume on the subject