Kierkegaard's Philosophical Fragments
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This Element is a critical analysis of Kierkegaard's Philosophical Fragments, attributed to the pseudonymous author Johannes Climacus. The philosophical content of Kierkegaard's work is developed in the form of an ironical, humorous jest in which Climacus pretends to invent a philosophical view that he claims cannot be humanly invented, and which bears a strong resemblance to Christian faith. The invention is proposed as an alternative to "the Socratic view" of the Truth that, if possessed, leads to eternal life. The crucial underlying issue is whether eternal life could be linked to history. This Element explores the purpose of this literary form, and its relation to the philosophical content, highlighting the importance of Fragments for philosophy of religion, theology, and even the contemporary relation of religion to politics and culture, and arguing that Kierkegaard's view is not a form of irrational fideism.
C. Stephen Evans
C. Stephen Evans (PhD, Yale University) is University Professor of Philosophy and Humanities at Baylor University. He is also a Professorial Fellow at the Institute for Religion and Critical Inquiry at Australian Catholic University and is a widely traveled speaker. Evans is the author or editor of more than two dozen books, including Natural Signs and Knowledge of God: A New Look at Theistic Arguments, Faith Beyond Reason, Why Believe? Reason and Mystery as Pointers to God, and God and Moral Obligation.
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