Concluding Unscientific Postscript to Philosophical Fragments, Volume 1 (Kierkegaard's Writings, Vol 12.1)

This, along with The Concept of Anxiety, Fear and Trembling, and The Sickness Unto Death, constitutes Kierkegaard's major contribution to western philosophy and the beginning of existentialism. They have tended to be misread as direct philosophical statements by Kierkegaard, but they are in fact all attributed to pseudonymous authors designed to represent specific, and limited, points of view. That being said, these books are potentially life-changing, complex, and difficult, but the work required to apprehend them pays off.

was pleased

A good read for the Kierkegaard reader. It is Kierkegaard what can I say.

The packaging was so poor that the corners of the book were folded. It doesn't do anything with the content of the book, but it breakes my heart!

Anyone that disagrees with Hegel in his text is a good read.

I got this book on time and in an excellent condition. I hope to get more books from you guys. I really recommend this source!

This is Kierkegaard's most important work - the real meat of his writings. It is more difficult then most of his works and should be approached with caution, but it is absolutely essential to achieve a full understanding of Kierkegaard. Keep in mind that _Concluding Unscientific Postscript_ was originally written under the pseudonym of Johannes Climacus, the sceptical and pessimistic alter ego of the real Kierkegaard. Not to spoil the surprise, but in reading this book you should remember that much of what is being said is contradictory to Kierkegaard's real beliefs. In my experience reading this book, I only began to realize this gradually. This is because not EVERYTHING in this book is antithetical or diametrically opposed to Kierkegaard's real views; only portions of it are antithetical. Kierkegaard truly engages and challenges the reader by exposing views that make sense at first, but then after letting Climacus get riled up, his rantings and ravings become increasingly illogical and pessimistic. The challenge consists in discovering where the real Kierkegaard leaves off, and where the pseudonymous Johannes Climacus picks up. The reader must constantly be on alert for antithetical and contradictory statements, and must approach this book with a highly critical mindset. The end result is one of the most fantastically thought-provoking, creative, original, and entertaining books you will ever read. By forcing the reader to take this critical approach, Kierkegaard gives us an opportunity to formulate and fortify our individual beliefs in contradistinction to those of Climacus, forcing us to truly think for ourselves. The reader is bombarded with profound philosophical statements which are oten true and sensible, and can be proven consitsent with Kierkegaard's real beliefs. But sandwiched between these logical statements, Climacus will say something so off the wall that the reader must subject these statements to a critical re-evaluation. This is what makes the _Postscript_ such a profoundly thought-provoking and personally enriching experience.One more thing to consider before you read this book: As I said, this book was written under the pseudonym Johannes Climacus. To fully understand the inner workings of this character, you must also read _Philosophical Fragments/Johannes Climacus_, which is the precursor to _Concluding Unscientific Postscript_. This first book helps the reader understand the pseudonymous and sometimes antithetical beliefs held by Kierkegaard's neurotic alter-ego. Taken together, the _Johannes Climacus/Philosophical Fragments/ Conlcuding Unscientific Postscript_ series is the be-all end-all philosophical work of the 19th century. It is a monumental achievement of epic proportions and will go down in history as the most important and profound work of literature to come out of Europe during that time period.

Concluding Unscientific Postscriptto the Philosophical Fragmentsby Johannes Climacus (Søren Kierkegaard)Kierkegaard's Writings, XII(Princeton, NJ: Princeton UP, 1992)(ISBN: 10691073953; hardback)(ISBN: 10691020817; paperback)(Library of Congress call number: B4373.A472E5 1992)Earlier translations also available. This is a large and difficult book by Søren Kierkegaard.But it is the place where he most completely exploresthe idea of subjectivityand makes the extraordinary claim that "truth is subjectivity".This means that the way we appropriate a 'truth'matters more than the objective content of that 'truth'.For example, SK says that it is betterto worship a false god trulythan the true God falsely,which is what was happening in 19th century Danish Christianityin Kierkegaard's view.The passion of faith is more important than doctrinal correctness. Kierkegaard is the champion of subjectivityin reaction against all attempts to 'prove' Christian faith objectively.There can be no philosophical system or method that leads to Grace.In the final analysis, very little factual knowledge about Jesusis required for us to movefrom our Existential Malaise to Existential Freedom. This is the longest of Kierkegaard's books,but it is rich with inward spirituality for the careful reader.If you might be one of those careful readers of existential spirituality,search the Internet for more food for thought:"Books on Existential Spirituality".James Leonard Park, seeker on the path of existential spirituality.