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

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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.

Be warned! The Princeton edition of this book comes in two volumes. Volume 1 is just the body of text to Kierkegaard's book. There is no historical introduction in the first volume, just Kierkegaard's satirical introduction that was intended for the original book. The historical introduction and scholarly apparatus are in the second volume. If the reader does not wish to inquire beyond Kierkegaard's text, he need not worry, the second volume is for the person who did not find Kierkegaard mind numbing enough and sees need to go behind the text. I am one of those kind of people, but you might not be.

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.

Kierkegaard should be read by Christians today just for his ability to inspire one to be a different kind of Christian. Kierkegaard is a profound thinker and this is perhaps the best translation available. The Hong's are outstanding scholars and are well known for their expertise on the topic of Kierkegaard. Christians of all denominations should read Kierkegaard so that they can get out of their narrow definition of what it means to be a Christian. This work is one of his many masterpieces. However, to call this work his best work is a difficult proposition to defend since all of his work is brilliant. It is the area of apologetics (a topic that Kierkegaard eshewed) that Kierkegaard can be fruitful inspiration for. The only one who seems to recognize this is Edward John Carnell, who wrote a book along these lines "The Burdern of Soren Kierkegaard."

Concluding Unscientific Postscript
to the Philosophical Fragments

by 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 explores
the idea of subjectivity
and 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 better
to worship a false god truly
than the true God falsely,
which is what was happening in 19th century Danish Christianity
in Kierkegaard's view.
The passion of faith is more important than doctrinal correctness.

Kierkegaard is the champion of subjectivity
in 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 Jesus
is required for us to move
from 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.

Along with Nietzsche's The Gay Science, this book had the most impact on me of any philosophy books I have ever read. For those who find themselves running around in cirles looking for objective proof of this or that, Climacus (Kierkegaard) insists you are just wading out into the sea of life. Take the leap onto 70,000 fathoms of roaring ocean! Live!

After Hegel's reduction of the individual to a cog in the grumbling historical machine, it is refreshing to read of the individual and the individuals concerns. As mentioned, Climacus ridicules objectivity and focuses the reader in on subjective truth, encouraging us to be authentic and take responsiblity for life. Christian or non-Christian alike, this book will challange the reader in many ways. It was a major influence on existentialist and Continental thought for a good reason. Unconditionally recommended.

While devouring this book, I really felt that I was getting close to, quote unquote, "The Answer." That's how powerful it was on both me and, as I see, some of my fellow reviewers. So much of it has to do with making decisions, and making decisions is an integral part of Soren K's definition of truth. But you have to get at it subjectively, not objectively. There's one part where, let's say, you (the reader) are in prison, and you will get your head chopped off by the guillotine tomorrow. You are afraid, naturally. I, as your friend, can talk to you and say (objectively), "Oh, you're worried about the guillotine tomorrow. You see, it's very simple: you just walk out to the scaffold, put your head down on the slab of wood, making sure to put your neck in the appropriate neck hole; they will cut a rope, the blade of the guillotine will come down, your head will be chopped off, and it will all be over in a minute." You, the subjective decision-maker, do not see it in the same way.