I've read some of his writing before in some of my philosophy textbooks, but I'm looking to get one or two of his books and I'm wondering where to start. Could anyone point me in the direction of a good place to start with his writing. Either a good collection of his work, or something that really summarizes his thoughts theories and ideas on things. Thanks
Quotes: A man who as a physical being is always turned toward the outside, thinking that his happiness lies outside him, finally turns inward and discovers that the source is within him. Anxiety is the dizziness of freedom. At the bottom of enmity between strangers lies indifference. Be that self which one truly is. Because of its tremendous solemnity death is the light in which great passions, both good and bad, become transparent, no longer limited by outward appearences. Boredom is the root of all evil - the despairing refusal to be oneself. Concepts, like individuals, have their histories and are just as incapable of withstanding the ravages of time as are individuals. But in and through all this they retain a kind of homesickness for the scenes of their childhood. Don't forget to love yourself.
During the first period of a man's life the greatest danger is not to take the risk. Soren Kierkegaard Face the facts of being what you are, for that is what changes what you are. Soren Kierkegaard Faith is the highest passion in a human being. Many in every generation may not come that far, but none comes further. Soren Kierkegaard Far from idleness being the root of all evil, it is rather the only true good. God creates out of nothing. Wonderful you say. Yes, to be sure, but he does what is still more wonderful: he makes saints out of sinners. How absurd men are! They never use the liberties they have, they demand those they do not have. They have freedom of thought, they demand freedom of speech. I begin with the principle that all men are bores. Surely no one will prove himself so great a bore as to contradict me in this.
I thnik: 'Either/Or" followed by "Fear and Trembling"; start with the short works. "Works of Love" has the older concern at Love and Jealousy (the prudent un-finitized World). Kiek' is truly 'rock and role' expression: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhdiSqt6sXE&feature=player_embedded#!
SK- Soren Kierkegaard Depends entirely on what you want to get out of SK, his writings should be interpreted more as a body of work rather then books. SK had a goal in mind and went about it in a very specific way. Many of his books were not even published under his own name, some are purely aesthetic, some purely ethical, others still purely religious. "A Kierkegaard Anthology" edited by Robert Bretall is good. Unless you want entire books, then I would suggest "Either/Or", "Fear and Trembling", "Philosophical Fragments".... You know what, maybe just read "The point of view of my work as an author". It is a really good autobiography of what SK attempted to do with his authorship. It is impossible to know SK by only reading 1 or 2 of his books, and it would take a long time to read everything he wrote, maybe take a Post-Secondary class. When reading anything by him its important to note that he was religious the entire time, and that all books suggesting the contrary were written purposefully through pseudonyms. To give you a quote that may help you understand his philosophy... "The thing is too find a truth which is true for me, to find the idea for which I can live and die" - SK's Journals There is another one that I cannot think of off the top of my head... Nor will I be riffling through my books for... about his use of pseudonyms. Sorry I cant remember, ill edit if I do If you want a little more information or some help with what some readings mean then get a hold of me, I can only give my opinion, but still.
