The Routledge Guidebook to Kierkegaard's Fear and Trembling

Description

Søren Kierkegaard is one of the key figures of nineteenth century thought, whose influence on subsequent philosophy, theology and literature is both extensive and profound. Fear and Trembling is one of Kierkegaard's most compelling and widely read works. It combines an arresting narrative, an unorthodox literary structure and a fascinating account of faith and its relation to 'the ethical'. This Guidebook introduces and assesses Kierkegaard's life and the background to Fear and Trembling, including aspects of its philosophical and theological context. It will be essential reading for anyone studying the most famous text of this important thinker. Cover Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Table of Contents Series editor’s preface Preface to the second edition Acknowledgements Reference key to Kierkegaard’s texts Key to commonly used editions of Fear and Trembling 1. Introduction Kierkegaard’s life and works Søren and Regine Kierkegaard’s methodology: indirect communication and the pseudonyms Abraham and Isaac Plan of the book 2. Tuning up: ‘Preface’, ‘Attunement’ and ‘Speech in Praise of Abraham’ Preface Attunement Speech in Praise of Abraham 3. Infinite resignation and faith: the ‘Preamble from the Heart’ Tragic heroism and infinite resignation: a preamble Infinite resignation and faith The lad and his princess What is the connection between faith and infinite resignation? What does Abraham believe at the point of drawing the knife? 4. Suspending the ethical: Problemata I and II Problema I: is there a teleological suspension of the ethical? Problema II: is there an absolute duty to God? Summary 5. The sound of silence: Problema III Four poetic personages Returning to Abraham Epilogue 6. What is Fear and Trembling really about? Introducing its reception history Lévinas: against Kierkegaard’s ‘violence’ Tarquin’s poppies A message to Regine? A call to commitment: theological shock treatment The psychology of faith Norms in the Christian life Mooney: ethics, dilemma and subjectivity Derrida: sacrificing ethics ‘It’s not about ethics!’ A dissenting voice Faith, ‘eschatological’ trust and ‘radical’ hope Fear and Trembling’s hidden Christianity? Conclusion 7. How reliable is Johannes de silentio? Daniel Conway and Andrew Cross: Johannes’ evasion Stephen Mulhall: Johannes and the literal Conclusion Bibliography Index