Either/Or, Part I

Kierkegaard's Writings #3

by Søren Kierkegaard, Edna Hatlestad Hong, Howard Vincent Hong

Søren Kierkegaard, the nineteenth-century Danish philosopher rediscovered in the twentieth century, is a major influence in contemporary philosophy, religion, and literature. He regarded Either/Or as the beginning of his authorship, although he had published two earlier works on Hans Christian Andersen and irony. The pseudonymous volumes of Either/Or are the writings of a young man (I) and of Judge William (II). The ironical young man's papers include a collection of sardonic aphorisms; essays on Mozart, modern drama, and boredom; and "The Seducer's Diary." The seeming miscellany is a reflective presentation of aspects of the "either," the esthetic view of life.



Part II is an older friend's "or," the ethical life of integrated, authentic personhood, elaborated in discussions of personal becoming and of marriage. The resolution of the "either/or" is left to the reader, for there is no Part III until the appearance of Stages on Life's Way . The poetic-reflective creations of a master stylist and imaginative impersonator, the two men write in distinctive ways appropriate to their respective positions.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction, Religion, Theology, Classics, Christianity, Psychology

702 pages, Paperback

First published February 20, 1843

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

[Riccardo]

"Così anch'io son legato, in una catena che è fatta di oscure fantasie, d'angosciosi sogni, d'inquieti pensieri, di paurosi presentimenti, d'inspiegate angosce."

Molto interessante Diapsalmata dove Kierkegaard - in una serie di aforismi fulminanti - pianta il seme della filosofia che svilupperà nel resto della poderosa opera; meno Don Giovanni, che vede autore avventurarsi in un dibattito accademico un po' sterile su musica, linguaggio e immediatezza sensuale che poco dirà ai non addetti ai lavori.

[Alan]

Søren non mi pento di leggerti :)