Both/And is a new interpretation of Kierkegaard's writings which attempts to make sense of a very diverse authorship by offering a comprehensive interpretation of both Kierkegaard's so-called aesthetic and his religious writings. Soren Kierkegaard (1813-1855) stands for a turning point in philosophy from a systematic philosophy - which, with its focus on objectivity, attempts to place itself on the secure path of science - to a philosophythat focuses its attention in subjectivity and openly acknowledges itself as fragmentary and provisional. Strawser examines Kierkegaard's works as religious, aesthetic/poetic, and philosophical and argues that irony runs through both the aesthetic and the religious works - indeed, Kierkegaard referred to himself as the Magister of Irony. But Strawser goes beyond these boundaries to draw in the interpretation of Kierkegaard's writing not a line which cuts off the aesthetic from the religious, but connects them. This is what Strawser calls the line from irony to edification. This line is the line of both/and, the line of connection. Strawser addresses the problematic but natural relationship between Kierkegaard and postmodernism and offers exciting possibilities. Strawser believes that contemporary postmodern philosophical considerations aid a critical reading of Kierkegaard, but such a reading must not be overwhelmed by them. Such a comprehensive reading is what Strawser offers the reader in Both/And.
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Soren Kierkegaard (1813-1855) stands for a turning point in philosophy from a systematic philosophy, which, with its focus on objectivity attempts to place itself on the secure path of science, to a "philosophy" that focuses its attention in subjectivity and openly acknowledges itself as fragmentary and provisional. Putting his emphasis on primary texts, Strawser examines Kierkegaard's works as religious, aesthetic/poetic, and philosophical. Strawser argues that Kierkegaard's place in the history of philosophy is well established, however, taking him "philosophically" has become the least common way of taking him. Strawser addresses the problematic but natural relationship between Kierkegaard and postmodernism and offers exciting possibilities. Both/And is an impressive contribution to Kierkegaardian Studies reading lists and reference collections. -- Midwest Book Review
About the Author
Michael Strawser teaches Philosophy, Religion, and English at Folkuniversitetet, Helsingborg, Sweden.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
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Kierkegaard the deconstructionist,
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This review is from: Both/And: Reading Kierkegaard- From Irony to Edification (Perspectives in Continental Philosophy) (Paperback)
This is a wonderfully concise review of a prolix literature. Strawser's point is that Kierkegaard's work cannot be deconstructed because he already deconstructed it himself. There is no necessary construction we can make of his work. It is all either/or or, as Strawser puts it, both-and. Those, SK included, who want to interpret his work in exclusively religious terms are defeated by the powerfully poetic-aesthetic aspect of it. While those who wish to claim he was exclusively a literary figure have to deal with the overpoweringly religious aspect of his work. Neither, from beginning to end of his authorship, are separated from the other. They are inextricably linked and therefore allow a completely noncoersive interpretation. Kierkegaard, the personality, disappears and the reader is left alone with the work. Or as SK put it "tis your heart that must be revealed." And revealed it is in the act of interpreting his works.
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