Upbuilding Discourses in Various Spirits

Kierkegaard's Writings #15

by Søren Kierkegaard

In his praise for Part I of Upbuilding Discourses in Various Spirits, the eminent Kierkegaard scholar Eduard Geismar said, "I am of the opinion that nothing of what he has written is to such a degree before the face of God. Anyone who really wants to understand Kierkegaard does well to begin with it." These discourses, composed after Kierkegaard had initially intended to end his public writing career, constitute the first work of his "second authorship." Characterized by Kierkegaard as ethical-ironic, Part One, on the theme of "Purity of Heart Is to Will One Thing, " offers a penetrating discussion of double-mindedness and ethical integrity; the irony lies in the relation between factuality and ideality. Part Two, "What We Learn from the Lilies in the Field and from the Birds of the Air, " is humorous for Kierkegaard in that it exposes an inverted qualitative difference between the learner and the teacher. In Part Three, "The Gospel of Sufferings, Christian Discourses, " the philosopher explores the theme of joy, as in "The Joy of It That the School of Sufferings Educates for Eternity."

Genres: Philosophy, Spirituality, Religion, Theology, Christian, Westerns, Christianity

468 pages, Hardcover

First published March 13, 1847

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

[Seth Sowalskie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a particularly moving read (if at times a bit repetitive), one that that's especially edifying for Christians (but may also have broader appeal).

Part 1: An Occasional Discourse ("Purity of Heart Is to Will One Thing") - 5/5
This was one of the best works I've read from Kierkegaard. It's a profound and moving treatment of what it really means to pursue the Good (which is God). I'd definitely recommend it to anyone interested in the pursuit of moral ideals broadly, but the Christian will particularly resonate with it.

Part 2: What We Learn from the Lilies in the Field and from the Birds of the Air - 4.5/5
This was a short, encouraging series of discourses on worrying and trust in God, using the lilies and the birds to teach humans about what a joy it is to be human.

Part 3: The Gospel of Sufferings - 4.5/5
This, as Kierkegaard notes, is a series of explicitly Christian discourses. The first couple chapters reminded me a bit of Bonhoeffer's The Cost of Discipleship (which was obviously written later). However, Kierkegaard focuses specifically on the idea that, for the Christian walk, hardship is the road of following Christ and of perfection, and he considers what else follows from that. I really enjoyed the first few chapters, but I found that some of the later ones were fairly repetitive (though the ideas contained in each were still important).

All in all, this was an great read, one that I think I'll be reflecting on for some time.

[Igor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably the best pastoral writing by Kierkegaard

[JJS. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The the first two sections, on 'Purity of Heart' and the 'Lily of the Field and the Bird of the Air' are both great, though the third section of discourses on the 'Gospel of Suffering' is not a good, still has many great passages. The first two sections are great places to start reading Kierkegaard.

[Ray Harajuku · Rating 5 out of 5]

poetic argument for faith in everyday life. Despite the flowery topics and upbeat fare, the undercurrent here is a definite shrug at death. You will find some beauty in lacking control.

[Elijah Lyons · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a dear friend I’ve found in this man.

[cinlin]

Read part 2 "What We Learn from the Lilies in the Field and from the Birds of the Air" for my MA thesis.

[Kafkasfriend · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the literary greats Kierkegaard is worth reading for those who enjoy literature philosophy or religion. Not just discussing what it means to be human and the human relationship to God but how a human should live in order to be human at all.God is not a science God is a belief; not a system but a part of the structure of life; not a tool to be used or a thing to hunt but that which is and the human must learn to understand and accept that which is Gog.

[Katie]

Thought provoking and lovely thus far.

[Ben · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too long and too similar to many of the other upbuilding discourses.